North Side of Castle Peak

Location Name: 
North Side of Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 12/22/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 47.772" N, 120° 20' 26.304" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Above 8000 ft. on NW-N-NE-E aspects on Castle Peak, 8 to 14 inches of soft unconsolidated snow existed above a 20 inch thick, very hard, very frozen rain crust. Below this crust the snowpack remained moist and is slowly refreezing. Ski cuts on test slopes, hand pits, general observations, and detailed snowpit work did not reveal any signs of instability for today. However, tests and observations did indicate that the loose unconsolidated snow above the 12/15 rain crust may not support additional load very well. Similar to yesterday's results, propagation through this loose snow became likely after adding an artificial slab above it to simulate what may happen in tomorrow's storm. 

On more sun exposed and wind scoured aspects, "dust on crust" conditions existed and the sun exposed SW aspects did soften in the afternoon. Below 8000 ft. less snow coverage existed and numerous open creeks, rocks, logs and other obstacles remained exposed.  

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest