Rain Soaked Snow On Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 12/01/2012 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 20' 43.2024" N, 120° 21' 55.4868" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The snowpack below 7500' was saturated with water to the ground.  Some of the snow from the lowering snow level on Friday is still present but very wet and melting below 7500'.  Above 7500' snowpack depth was around 120cm, with boot pen of 60cm and ski pen of 30-40cm.  Roller ball activity on steeper slopes near rocks and convexities.  No wind snow transport observed today below 8000' with the damp snowpack.  Several large trees have been blown over by the recent winds.

Photo#1:  Rain runnels on all aspects below 7800'.

Photo#2:  Isolated roller ball activity at 7600'

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow level just below 8000' in the late morning hours and warming.