Yesterday hosted a wide-ranging snowmobile tour along the eastern edges of the forecast area to Little Mount Hoffman, Pumice Stone Mountain, Little Glass Mountain and Paint Pot Crater. A long approach, ~20 miles, was taken via FS 15 road (Harris Springs Road). A shorter and probably better access point is via Four Corners Snowmobile Park. The Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trails are being actively groomed and in good shape. The day was clear and calm, with chilly temperatures. High temps on Ash Creek Butte reached 24 degrees. Wind on Mount Shasta was quite mellow comparatively speaking to recent days, blowing predominantly out of the east, averaging 8 mi/hr with gusts to 30 mi/hr. Past wind loading was observed near and above treeline east of Mount Shasta. Small to medium-sized cornices have formed along leeward terrain features. Recent new snow averaged 3 - 5 inches above 6,000 feet. All told, wind slabs and cornices were stubborn to trigger. No recent avalanches or obvious signs of hazard were encountered.
Dry and chilly weather is on tap today. Wind will be light below and near treeline, out of the south-southwest. On the upper mountain, expect wind speeds of 15-25 mi/hr. Into the weekend, daytime high temperatures will warm and wind looks to be fairly mellow. Mornings will be chilly and afternoons mild. A strong high pressure ridge remains centered near 140W, with a northwest flow on the eastern side of the ridge. Clear, dry weather can be expected for at least the next 5 days or so. The upper ridge will begin to shift next week, which will open the doors for colder systems and increasing chance of precipitation.
