Warm on Castle Peak

Location Name: 
South Side Castle Peak
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 03/29/2017 - 11:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 35.226" N, 120° 20' 32.7696" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Educator at Sierra Nevada College
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Warm on the south side of Castle Peak today. 2-4 cm Melt Freeze crust on southern aspects was supportable, but melting fast. Under the MFC was recent new snow- now a moist layer not quite transitioned to corn. Strong sun was impacting the snow quickly- 10:30 am SE aspects at about 8000' were good, done by 11:00am. SW aspects were changing fast- skiied well at 11:30 am. Lower elevations in the trees (approx 7400') were sticky and slow on the way out at 11:30 ish. Wind pillows on SW aspects were wet and kicking at them created roller balls- no other signs of instability.

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Photo #1 shows roller balls and evidence of loose wet below rocks on South aspects. Photo #2 shows North side of Castle Peak- evidence of prevailing SW winds and recent NE winds too- N side seemed supportable up high, but likely sticky and transitioning lower down.

Thanks for the great season SAC! Hoping we get a great Melt Freeze through April!

 

 

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
More detailed information about the weather: 

Warm today with little to no wind. Strong sun was rapdliy melting last nights refreeze.