Snowpit on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 01/21/2012 - 13:21
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 0.228" N, 120° 21' 21.348" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Significant rain in this area during rising snow level last night until cold front passage around 3 am this morning. Rain destroyed faceted crystals on top of the old Dec 28-29 rain crust. A new thicker rain crust is in the process of refreezing at the base of the storm snow. Wet grains remain in the middle part of the snowpack. Rain water did not reach to bottom 40cm of the snowpack in this area/elevation.

A density inversion exists at the base of the storm snow in both wind exposed and wind protected areas. Minor cracking was observed on this layer but no significant propagation was noted.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snowfall at a rate of 1cm per hour occurred continuously until 3pm. Lighter snow showers there after.