Observations from Castle Peak

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 11/10/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 1.0164" N, 120° 21' 15.1776" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Two snowpits dug today on the NW face of Castle Peak. One in an area of full sun, the other in a much more shaded area. Snow crystals within the layers in the shaded pit showed slower metamorphism. Neither pit showed significant weak layers or near crust faceting above the basal melt-freeze (ice) layer. No signs of instability observed in either snowpit or informal observations.

Photo 1 - Site of Nov 1 snowpit, N aspect at 8,200'. Some melt and settlement has occurred at this location.

Photo 2 - Site of sun exposed snowpit, NW aspect at 8,900'.

Photo 3 - Continuous snow cover on the north side of Castle Peak 8,600' to 8,800'.

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