Minor blowing snow on Castle Peak.

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 11/28/2017 - 11:45
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 2.928" N, 120° 21' 11.664" W
See map: Google Maps
US


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

Blowing snow/visible wind transport observed above 8,500' in above treeline terrain near the summit of Castle Peak. SW winds loading on northerly aspects. Some areas on northerly aspects appeared to have active wind slab formation, likely shallow and pockety. At the summit of Andesite Peak in above treeline terrain at 8,200', this wind transport was not observed. No other signs of instability observed while on tour on the W slopes of Castle or E slopes of Andesite.

Cornices along the Castle Pk-Basin Pk ridge have become large enough to pose a significant hazard to backcountry travelers.
 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest