Melt Freeze Crusts on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/10/2016 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 52.9128" N, 120° 20' 56.328" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Firm melt freeze conditions existed this morning in the Castle Peak area.  Some wind exposed areas are scoured down to the 1/29 rain crust and are very firm, other areas have firm melt freeze crust on top of the rain crust.  Fall hazards exist and extra caution should be taken in the morning hours and in places that are scoured.  Good corn snow existed in open terrain in the late morning hours.    

Photo#1:  8700', South aspect, 35 degree slope, below Castle Peak.  3'' of firm Knife hard melt freeze crust on top of 1/29 rain crust @10am.

Photo#2:  7800', south aspect in open area below treeline, 25 degree slope.  3'' of Pencil hard melt freeze crust on top of 6'' of transitional snow on top of 1/29 rain crust @ 9:30am.

Photo#3:  Above 8500', south aspects were firm up to 10:30am.  Below 8500', softening occurred on all solar aspects with sticky snow in the trees and below 7500'.

Snowpack photos: 
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
More detailed information about the weather: 

Thin mid to high level clouds moving through the area.