Donner pass snow pack obervation

Location Name: 
Donner Pass
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 01/23/2016 - 14:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 19' 1.596" N, 120° 19' 20.388" 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: 

There was 20 to 30 cm of new snow overnight and was well bonded to the old snow surface. The old snow surface was a thin crust in some areas and unfrozen in other areas.  Ski tests on small wind loaded slopes produced very slight cracking about 30cm in length with no other signs of insatbility.    During several compression tests we had one CTM 17 down 87cm. but could not repeat the results.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

We observed active wind transport and cornice development on steep leeward slopes on exposed ridges and in near tree line terrain.