Winds Slabs on Andesite Ridge

Location Name: 
Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/03/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 1.062" N, 120° 21' 57.7404" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Educator at Tahoe Mountain School
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Above treeline on Andesite Ridge we found shooting cracks up to 25 feet on test slopes.  In our snow pit we got CTE failures 15-20 cm down.  ECT test revealed ECTP15 old snow new snow interface about 40 cm down, also ECTN9 failure crossed about 2/3 of column 20 cm down.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest