Observations from Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 04/13/2013 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 53.208" N, 120° 21' 11.16" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

A decent snow surface refreeze occurred in this area last night. Specific to above treeline areas, moderate to strong southwest winds provided convective cooling of the snow surface, slowing the rate of snow surface melt. In wind protected areas near treeline and below treeline, snow surface melt occurred rapidly. At 12:45pm, unsupportable snow surface conditions existed on S aspects at 8,000'.

Photo: Ankle deep boot penetration at 12:30 pm in above treeline terrain at 8,500' on a wind exposed SW aspect (noted lat/long). Much deeper boot penetration could easily be found in wind sheltered areas.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: