Fragile wind crust near Castle Peak

Location Name: 
1 km W of Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/19/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 54.1944" N, 120° 21' 42.678" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Educator at Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Fragile wind crust up around treeline today in Castle Peak area.  Minor surface cracking.  Where wind crust was absent (stripped), exposed rain crust very hard and difficult to hold ski edge.  Soft recent storm snow under wind crust F hard and faceted.  Air temps well below 0 C but mild day with little wind.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: