Observations from Negro Canyon

Location Name: 
Negro Canyon
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/11/2017 - 13:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 39.4368" N, 120° 17' 34.7676" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Ongoing wind transport observed in near treeline and above treeline terrain. Cornices in the area have become very large. Intentionally skier triggered wind slab failure occurred on test slopes but was not as easily triggered as 24 hours prior in the same area. Snowpit data indicated that some consolidation was occurring within the storm snow. Wind slab instability remained ongoing in areas of direct wind loading. No signs of weak layer formation observed in this area 120 cm (4 ft) down on the Jan 9 rain crust. The refrozen portion of the Jan 9 rain crust remains thin with non-refrozen wet snow below. Numerous open creeks with patchy thin snow bridges exist in this area below 6,800'.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
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: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Off and on partial sun breaks and convective snow showers with snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour (S2).