Snowpit and observations on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:53
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 56.736" N, 120° 21' 35.604" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Pit dug adjacent to pit at this location on Nov 19. Evidence of improving stability in this area was observed today. Snowpit data reveals increased difficulty of triggering propagation on the top of the Nov 18 facet layer. The crystals appear to be rounding rather than continuing to facet. The temperature gradient has decreased as compared to Nov 19. Temp gradient is now down to 1 deg C/10cm. Despite the indications of improved stability, data still indicates that slab avalanches are possible in this area with failure occurring on the top of the Nov 18 facet layer. No whumpfs on shooting cracks observed in this area today.

Ongoing wind transport of snow and hard slab formation along ridges.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

High cloud cover.