Wet Conditions in the Castle Peak Area

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/21/2014 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 3.0852" N, 120° 21' 58.3596" W
See map: Google Maps
US



Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Evidence of rain up to and above 8200' with a wet saturated upper and mid snowpack.  Little signs of instabilities throughout the day.  Travel through wind loaded terrain and corniced areas showed no signs of wind slab weakness.  There was no wind loading observed today with the heavy rain saturated surface snow.  Snow was thick, wet and sticky at all elevations and aspects.

Photo#1:  Rain runnels on all aspects and elevations in this area.

Photo#2:  Cornice kicks showing no cracking or wind slab instabilities off of Andesite Peak-8200', NE aspect, 35 degree slope.

Photo#3:  Small loose wet roller balls on steep East aspect at treeline.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
More detailed information about the weather: 

Light rain in the morning turning to mist later on with cloud ceiling around 7800 with some breaks.  Forecasted winds never materialized into the early afternoon.  Air temp was +3c at 12 noon at 8100'.