The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season will post on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Storm Snow Profile NNW 8000' Castle Peak

Location Name: Between Castle Pass and Round Valley Region: Donner Summit Area Observation Date & Time: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - 14:15
Location: 39.365927, -120.364141 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Recent Loading›More Than a Foot of New Snow Terrain Alerts: Terrain Traps

Observation made by: Guide at Tahoe Mountain School

Tabs

Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Sunny and cold with plenty of new snow and plenty of wind. 40 cm of new snow in Castle Peak area. The main story was wind effect from strong winds that blew from the NE overnight and into the morning. In exposed areas the snow surface was a mix of sastrugi, hard wind slab, and scouring. Even in sheltered areas a softer (4F harness) wind slab on top of the new snow made skiing difficult on lower angle slopes. Where the wind effect was absent the skiing was very good.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph:

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

275cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Not observed

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Moderate

Wind Direction:

Northeast

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Sky Cover:

Clear

Precipitation:

None

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

Sponsors:

This website is owned and maintained by the non-profit arm of the Sierra Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information, or sponsorship information, or other content not related to the forecasts and the data pertaining to the forecasts.

Forecast Links

Subscriptions

Forecast Tutorials

Observations

Incidents

Submit Observations

Subscriptions

Remote Weather Stations

National Weather Service

Model Forecasts

Local Resources

The SAC Daily Flow

Forecast Tutorials

Other Resources

Storm Snow Profile NNW 8000' Castle Peak

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Sponsors:

Forecast Links

Subscriptions

Forecast Tutorials

Observations

Incidents

Submit Observations

Subscriptions

Remote Weather Stations

National Weather Service

Model Forecasts

Local Resources

The SAC Daily Flow

Forecast Tutorials

Other Resources

Storm Snow Profile NNW 8000' Castle Peak

Conditions Alerts:

Tabs

Search form

Follow Us

Sponsors: