Castle Peak Snowpack Observations

Location Name: 
Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/08/2017 - 12:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 22' 2.55" N, 120° 20' 6.4284" W
See map: Google Maps
US



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

Variety of snow surfaces exist with a minimal amount of usable snow below 7500' in this area.  Up to 2-3' exists above 8500' on shaded aspects.   Recent NE/E winds have scoured many N-NE-E aspects leaving firm rain crusts and rough snow surface conditions in many areas.  Southerly aspects had wet surface snow during the mid day hours.  Unconsolidated snow can still be found in isolated and protected areas mostly below treeline.  Hard wind slabs were found on NW aspects in near treeline terrain.  These wind slabs varied in depth, but were on top of loose faceted snow that was on top of an old rain crust.  In the locations we observed and did snowpack tests, these wind slabs were not reactive.      

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northeast