New Snow in the Castle Peak Area

Location Name: 
Andesite Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 02/28/2015 - 13:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 3.402" N, 120° 21' 58.9788" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

8-12'' of storm snow in the Andesite Peak area today.  No signs of wind slab or storm slab development and no avalanche instabilities observed throughout the day.  The old snow surface was a firm knife hard melt freeze crust which could be felt while skiing.  I dug 2 snowpits and did ECT's which showed good bonding between the new snow and old snow interface.  There was a slight density change within the newer snow that fell during the day with warmer temps but did not show any failure with the ECT's.  There was some sluffing in steeper terrain.  Snow coverage is tricky in areas, the new snow did a good job of just barely covering up rocks/bushes/trees.

Photo#1:  12'' of new snow on a firm knife hard melt freeze crust.  N aspect, 7800', 30 degree slope.  No weakness observed at the crust or just below at this elevation.

Photo#2:  Very minor sluffing in steeper terrain.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour