Donner Summit Observations

Location Name: 
Mt. Judah
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 11/16/2012 - 09:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 18' 23.256" N, 120° 19' 2.064" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Very marginal snow coverage below 7500' on all aspects.  Above 7500' on NE-NW aspects had the most coverage with snow travel possible.  Some near crust faceting occuring on the old melt freeze crust-at this point not showing to be much of a problem with stability tests.  No signs of wet snow instabilities in the mid morning hours.

Photo#1:  Wildflower Ridge

Photo#2:  East face of Mt. Judah

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow level around 7000' at 8am with light snow showers.  Mid morning had a break in precip with warming conditions and light mist starting by 10am below 7500'.