Castle Pass/Andesite Ridge storm snow.

Location Name: 
Castle Pass/Andesite Ridge
Region: 
Donner Summit Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 11/04/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 21' 11.5452" N, 120° 21' 57.2004" 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: 

Storm snow amounts in this area were generally 12 to 14 inches deep during the mid day hours. Below treeline, new snow was very right side up and showed little to no sign of weak layers. Along Andesite Ridge, just south of Castle Pass around 8,000', some minimal wind affected areas were noted. In these locations near treeline, snow depths approached 16 to 18 inches deep with thin surface wind slabs 2 inches thick or less limited to ridgetop areas.  No cracking or other signs of wind slab instability were observed. At 11 am, ridgetop winds were notably absent in the Andesite Ridge area. Remote weather stations in other parts of the forecast area recorded moderate to strong wind speeds during this same timeframe.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snowfall rates around S1 to S2 during the late morning hours.