Soggy day in Castle Valley

Location Name: 
Castle Valley
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Observation Date & Time: 
Saturday, January 2, 2021 - 14:00
Location: 
39.349635, -120.362747
See map: CalTopo
Is this an Avalanche Observation?: 
No
Observation made by: Educator at Alpenglow Expeditions

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Observation
Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions: 

Our AIARE1 class spent the day in the Castle Valley and Andesite Peak zone. The area was covered in low clouds all day, and a misty rain was falling much of the time, with some brief snow showers in the afternoon. This left a trace of new, moist snow on approximately 1cm of wet snow affected by the rain. 

We toured up to an open area around 7900’ on the SE side of Andesite, and found some small wind drifts that appeared to have formed during the NE winds on 12/31 and 1/1. These drifts were stubborn to cracking, only breaking into small blocks just under our skis. 

Skiing back down was surprisingly pleasant on smooth, creamy snow. 
 

Low clouds over Castle Valley
Low clouds over Castle Valley
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Elevation of Observation: 
7000 - 8000 ft.
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Light
Sky Cover: 
Obscured by fog, etc
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Light Snowfall (S1 (S-1 = 1 cm /~.5 in per hour)
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
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