No Refreeze and Loose Wet Snow Sluffs on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 05/05/2017 - 10:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 47.7432" N, 120° 20' 39.7212" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Warm temperatures and overnight cloud cover led to little to no refreeze on all aspects and elevations on Castle Peak today. Before 9 am 4-5 inches of unconsolidated wet snow already existed. By 11 am shin deep loose wet snow existed on all aspects. up to at least 8800 ft. Ski cuts on steep slopes released wet snow sluffs that entrained the unconsolidated wet snow.

Photo 1: Ankle deep wet snow on a S aspect just before 9 am. 

Photo 2: Boot-top deep wet snow on a N aspect near 8800 ft. at 10:00 am

Photo 3: Mid-shin deep wet snow at 11 am.

Video: Skier triggered small loose wet sluff on a N aspect at 10 am.

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Small loose wet slide on north side of Castle

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Warm and windy along the ridgelines.