Spring Snow on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/24/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 36.432" N, 120° 20' 10.0572" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Radiational cooling overnight with clear skies helped to refreeze the snow surface.  SW winds at higher elevations kept the snow surface firm above 8500' throughout the morning hours.  By 10am East and SE aspects had softened and had 2-3'' of wet surface snow.  South aspects were soft by 11am.  Travel conditions were generally good in open areas above 7500'.  Below 7500' and near trees snow surface was punchy, heavy and sticky by 11am.

Photo#1:  SE aspect, 8200' @9:30am.  2'' melt freeze crust P to 1F hardness above 6'' of colder more winter like snow, on top of old melt freeze crust P hard.  Surface crust was ski supportable but boot pen went down to the old M/F crust.

Photo#2:  On northerly aspects above 8000', ankle deep winter snow existed in many areas.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Moderate to strong SW winds began around 10am above 8000'.  Very light wind transport observed with limited snow available for transport.