Winter weather, atmospheric rivers and strong wind has all taken a time-out the past couple days. Yesterday hosted clear, blue sky with light wind on Mount Shasta. Temperatures ranged from 18 to 40 deg F. Wind has averaged 10 mi/hr out of the east. A wide-ranging snowmobile tour from town to 10,000 feet was had, continuing to observe the aftermath of the widespread avalanche cycle that occurred earlier in the week. Below treeline is a rain runnel mess, rough, soft to hard runnel features, not pleasurable in any way. Near treeline, above ~6,700 feet, things start to get a little better. Trees are drippin' and bomin' and snow is variable hot powder, heavy and moist. Expect crusts. Above treeline is smooth and completely caked. Mount Shasta is looking fantastic, and a long and glorious spring ski season is guaranteed at this point. Wind effect is minimal due to the heavy, wet nature of the snow. Soft, mostly smooth surfaces dominate. Ridge routes have supportable snow with ~6 inch boot penetration. Gullies and bowls host deeper conditions. Earlier in the week, near treeline snow depth crested 200 inches, topping out at 207 inches on March 13th. Since then, the snowpack has settled 13 inches. We've observed a few small loose wet slides and roller balls on these sunny days, but other than that, it's been quiet on the home front.
Clockwise from top left: Bunny Flat, unplowed and buried with Mount Shasta in the background / Green Butte Ridge and Avalanche Gulch viewed from 10,000 feet / Old Ski Bowl weather station. Snow depth sensor is 20 feet off the ground! / Small, greasy, loose-wet slides on sunny aspects yesterday, below treeline [Photos: Meyers]
Drier air and much more tranquil weather is the story across much of the West for the end of the week and into the first part of the weekend. Temperatures will be slightly below normal. A new storm system will be approaching the West Coast by the latter part of the weekend, with the next round of precipitation likely reaching northern and central California by early on Sunday. The area is under the influence of high pressure, which will allow for mild temperatures and sunny skies this afternoon. High pressure will begin to displace tomorrow. A low pressure system drops on Sunday. This will kick off a period of impactful weather.
NRCS National Water and Climate Center - SWE Percent of Average