There hasn't been a lot to talk about, since like...uh...the beginning of January, but none-the-less here are the stats from the last 24 hours:
- Height of Snow - Mt. Shasta: 56 inches / Castle Lake: 27 inches / Mt. Eddy: 36 inches / Ash Creek Butte: 43 inches / Medicine Lake: 31 inches
- Temperatures - Min: 15° / Max: 39° (near treeline)
- Wind - Predominant wind direction has been N-NW with an average speed of 19 mi/hr and gusts to 61 mi/hr
Our most recent snow was a small set of NW to SE moving storms that blew through the area late Wednesday through Friday last week. This laid down new snow in an unusual pattern. Some areas received up to 6-8" while other areas a few miles away got nothing. The new snow has smoothed things out a bit in some areas, but sun and wind has begun to settle and shape the snowpack into the dirty, firm, rough and tired snowpack that we unfortunately know so well. Climbing conditions remain decent, and skiing and snowmobiling is possible from Bunny Flat. Skiing is also still possible from Castle Lake, and the lake is frozen. Pilgrim Creek snow park is marginal and one may want to drive past the park to find consistent snow. The approach from Trout Creek is better for the east side riding.
No avalanche activity has been observed or reported in a long time.
Below are March snow survey results from the local watersheds:
Dry weather and warmer daytime temperatures will trend for the next couple of days. A frontal system will move into the areas this weekend, resulting in light to moderate precipitation and gusty south wind. A second, moister frontal system will follow early next week. For today, expect sun with high temperatures in the upper 30s near treeline and northerly wind.