Castle Peak Observations

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/16/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 40.7052" N, 120° 20' 35.628" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Highly variable snow surface conditions throughout the Castle Peak area.  South aspects have rain crusts below 7500' with thin sun crusts and wind scoured areas elsewhere.  Areas of compacted wind blown snow existed on E-SE aspects above 8000' and provided good supportable ski conditions.  North aspects were firm smooth wind board above 8000'.  Many areas below 8000' had breakable crusts and were not ski supportive. 

Photo#1:  Snow surface wind texture on south aspects below treeline at 7400'.

Photo#2:  Large cornices exist throughout this terrain.

Photo#3:  ECTX in wind loaded terrain below cornice on summit plateau.  8600', East aspect, 38 degrees.  No indication of any instabilities existed while jumping on adjacent wind loaded test slope.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Low level haze thoughout area this morning.  Felt like winter above 8500' with rime ice and snow covered trees.  This started to change today at 11am with daytime warming.