Latest storm snow on Donner Summit

Location Name: 
E end Boreal Ridge south of I-80 rest area
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/23/2017 - 14:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 9.708" N, 120° 20' 22.38" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Guide at Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We conducted 4 ECTs and a number of CTs and tilt tests on NE facing terrain at 7350 ft elevation 1 km south of I-80.  These block tests revealed two SP breaks in the near-surface snows, approx 17 cm and 28 from snow surface.  ECTNs on all from wrist taps.  Ski cuts on steep, unsupported slope features revealed only minor cracking.  At this location there was little wind-pressed surface snow.  Too deep to measure HS (probed to 4.2 m), but 185 cm new since 20170217, all right-side up.  Intense snow showers throughout afternoon at S1+; much graupel visible.  airT = -7.5 C, top meter of snowpack -3 C to -5 C with no strong temp gradients.  SkiPen just above boot-top.  Observations with NASTC Level 2 class.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: