NE Winds on Andesite Peak

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/18/2016 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 59.8308" N, 120° 21' 58.5144" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Guide at Tahoe Mountain School
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Light to moderate NE winds throughout the day with blowing snow limited to the upper exposed ridges of Andesite Peak and Castle Peak.  Overall light amounts of snow observed being transported to SE-S-SW aspects.  Wind scouring of N-NE-E aspects was down to very firm rain crust in most wind exposed areas that prevented travel in some spots.  In more protected areas, 3-5'' of soft unconsolidated snow existed over a firm supportable base.  The recent rain layer did have some faceted snow in between the crust is a couple areas.  CT done on NE aspects on the upper snowpack below the peak at 8000' showed limited results.  Large surface hoar (6-8mm) was observed below 7600'.  Smaller surface hoar (2-3mm) was observed up to 8000' on NE-E aspects.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northeast