Submitted by nmeyers on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 5:37am
Recent Observations:
The yin and yang: the universe is governed by cosmic duality, sets of two opposing and complementing principles or cosmic energies that can be observed in nature. Sometimes were up, sometimes were down and right now, everything is on the up: snow, wind, avalanches, powder in the face! A 360 degree counter-clockwise tour of Gray Butte yesterday found red flags of avalanche danger flying high. There was no subtle sleuthing to be had; you could feel the tension in the air. Right out the gate, near whiteout conditions, heavy snow, wind, shooting cracks and whumpfing were observed. With 10 feet of snow on the ground near treeline on Mount Shasta, it's getting to the point where the landscape begins to change. Tree wells are large and in charge if you go head first. Southeast wind was rapidly loading W-NW-N facing aspects. Pit tests, ski cuts and some stomping around gave way to easy, propagating storm slabs and wind slabs. Not much else needs to be said: all the signs of avalanche danger were there and thus, my route strictly adhered to low angle terrain less than 30 degrees. Visibility has been very poor for days on end. The large avalanche reported on seismic data still has not been verified.
Since the beginning of January, we have received 47 inches of snow above 7,000 feet, with water equivalent of 7 inches. Mt Shasta City is 113% of normal for the wet season.
In the last 24 hours at 8,000 feet:
- Temperatures have ranged from 21 to 24 degrees F
- New snow accumulation: 21 inches (1.73" liquid equivalent) / Total height of snow: 120 inches
- Wind has averaged 14 mi/hr with gusts to 55 mi/hr out of the south-southeast
Mountain Weather:
Today through Tuesday, low pressure moving across the Pacific will bring two major episodes of heavy rain and mountain snow to northern California. A lull in this latest system of heavy precipitation is expected by tonight. However, a more potent surge of moisture associated with the next system in the parade is forecast to once again impact the area by Monday morning, tapering off early on Tuesday. Strong south winds have resulted in maximum orographic lift and upslope flow into the Mount Shasta region. Snow will continue this morning and then should fade by 9 or 10am. We'll get a break this afternoon as the storm weakens and winds relax. Light precipitation could continue in the area. The break will be short-lived, as another robust low will develop and move in Monday morning. Snow levels will linger near 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Give welcome to another round of wind, rain and snow!
Today 7-8 Weather :
Snow showers, mainly before 4pm, snow heavy at times, windy, snow level near 3,500 feet
Today 7-8 Wind Direction:
S
Today 8-9 Weather:
Snow showers, mainly before 4pm, heavy at times, windy
Today 8-9 Wind Direction:
SW
Tomorrow 7-8 Weather:
Snow mainly before 4pm, heavy at times, windy, snow level near 4,500 feet
Tomorrow 7-8 Wind Direction:
S
Tomorrow 8-9 Weather:
Snow, mainly before 4pm, heavy at times, windy
Tomorrow 8-9 Wind Direction:
S
Tonight 7-8 Weather:
Chance of snow showers, heavy at times, windy, snow level near 4,000 feet
Tonight 7-8 Wind Direction:
S
Tonight 8-9 Weather:
Chance of snow, heavy at times, windy
Tonight 8-9 Wind Direction:
S
27
26
28
27
83
14
0
21.5
21.5
24.5
23
118.7
20.7
1.74
Grey Butte Temp Max:
23.5
Grey Butte Wind Max:
16.5
Grey Butte Wind Gust Max:
55.2
Castle Lake Temp Avg:
29.5
Mount Eddy Temp Max:
26.5
Mount Eddy Temp Avg:
26.5
Mount Eddy Wind Gust Max:
8.76
Mount Eddy Snow Depth:
77.83
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Cur:
25
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Min:
23
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Max:
25
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Avg:
23.5
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Cur:
19.5
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Min:
19.5
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Max:
22
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Avg:
21
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Cur:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Max:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Gust Max:
0
Mt. Shasta City Temp Cur:
34
Mt. Shasta City Temp Min:
33
Mt. Shasta City Temp Max:
35
Mt. Shasta City Temp Avg:
34
Mt. Shasta City Wind Cur:
0
Mt. Shasta City Wind Min:
0
Mt. Shasta City Wind Max:
6
Mt. Shasta City Wind Avg:
2.5
Mt. Shasta City Wind Avg:
N
Grey Butte Wind Min:
10.5
Grey Butte Wind Avg:
13.5
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Min:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Avg:
0
Sand Flat Snow Settlement:
0
Ski Bowl Snow Settlement:
0
Mount Eddy Snow Settlement:
0
Measured Precipitation Oct:
15.57
Normal Precipitation Oct:
13.74
Percent Precipitation Oct:
113
Measured Precipitation MTD:
6.44
Normal Precipitation MTD:
1.5
Percent Precipitation MTD:
429
Measured Precipitation YTD:
6.44
Normal Precipitation YTD:
1.5
Percent Precipitation YTD:
429
Tomorrow Wind Max 7-9:
25
Tomorrow Wind Min 7-9:
15
Tonight Wind Max 9-11:
50
Tomorrow Wind Max 9-11:
60
Tonight Wind Min 9-11:
40
Tomorrow Wind Min 9-11:
50
Today Snow Max 7-9:
14.00
Tonight Snow Max 7-9:
14.00
Tomorrow Snow Max 7-9:
12.00
Tonight Snow Min 7-9:
8.00
Tomorrow Snow Min 7-9:
6.00
Today Snow Max 9-11:
16.00
Tonight Snow Max 9-11:
16.00
Tomorrow Snow Max 9-11:
14.00
Today Snow Min 9-11:
10.00
Tonight Snow Min 9-11:
10.00
Tomorrow Snow Min 9-11:
9.00
Weather Station Discussion:
The table below summarizes data reported from all of our weather stations over the last 24 hours.
Seasonal Stats Discussion:
The wet season is October 1 through May 1. The table below summarizes recorded vs. normal precipitation amounts for the City of Mount Shasta.
Overall Danger Rating:
High
