Submitted by sclairmont on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 5:10am
Recent Observations:
The last 24 hours brought westerly flow, strong westerly winds above treeline, and light precipitation across the forecast area. Skies have remained broken, with short periods of sun and snow. The temps have dropped through the night. Gray Butte weather station (8,000 feet) is recording 10 degrees F as of 3am this morning. Snow level has remained below 3,000 feet.
Yesterday's observations came from Ash Creek Butte. Temperatures were below freezing throughout the day. Around one to two inches of new snow fell. Winds remained light to moderate in the observed terrain (up to 7,300 feet), however, strong winds could be seen transporting snow onto leeward aspects near and above treeline. Wave clouds could be seen behind Mount Shasta and Ash Creek Butte, indicating very strong westerly winds up high.
In lower terrain, a widespread, firm yet breakable surface crust blanketed all aspects. Very firm surface conditions were encountered around 6,500 feet. Soft snow became more prevalent above 6,500 feet. At upper elevations, snow is remaining cold and light.
An avalanche was spotted below the ridge on a northeast aspect of Ash Creek Butte. This avalanche was natural, likely triggered by cornice collapse, and probably occurred within the last 24 hours. The starting zone was around 7,700 feet. A pit was dug at 7,300 feet on an east facing open slope. Overall, the snowpack in this area is defined by decaying snow and old surface/solar crusts stacked on top of each other.
Image: Pit in the Ash Creek Butte area. East aspect, 7,300 feet.
Mountain Weather:
Northwest flow will bring unseasonably cold temperatures, and scattered showers across the Mount Shasta region today. The low pressure that is bringing the scattered showers will move to the southeast this evening, with showery activity continuing through the night. The forecast area could see one to two inches of snow over the next 24 hours. The departure of the low pressure system this evening will bring gusty winds, with sustained strong winds. Wind direction has begun to shift from west to northwest. Snow levels will remain at the base (town) or lower for today and the imminent future. Fluctuating conditions will continue through the rest of the week.
Image: Medford NWS.
Today 7-8 Weather :
Partly sunny. Chance of snow showers. Some thunder is possible. Mostly cloudy. Gusts up to 30 mph. Snow level will be at the base
Today 7-8 Wind Direction:
NW
Today 8-9 Weather:
Mostly cloudy and cold. Snow showers. Thunder is possible. Windy, with gusts up to 60 mph. Wind chill values as low as -33 F
Today 8-9 Wind Direction:
NW
Tomorrow 7-8 Weather:
Mostly sunny. Chance of snow. Gusts up to 31 mph. Snow level will be at the base
Tomorrow 7-8 Wind Direction:
NW
Tomorrow 8-9 Weather:
Mostly sunny and cold. Chance of snow. Partly sunny and cold. Windy, with gusts up to 115 mph. Wind chill values as low as -35 F
Tomorrow 8-9 Wind Direction:
NW
Tonight 7-8 Weather:
Chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy. Thunder is possible. Gusts up to 28 mph. Snow level will be at the base
Tonight 7-8 Wind Direction:
NW
Tonight 8-9 Weather:
Chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Windy, with gusts up to 95 mph. Thunder is possible. Wind chill values as low as -36 F
Tonight 8-9 Wind Direction:
NW
26
2
29
16
146
0
0
10
10
25.5
16.5
204.2
0.3
0
Grey Butte Wind Gust Max:
61.34
Castle Lake Temp Cur:
129
Castle Lake Temp Min:
113.5
Castle Lake Temp Max:
131.5
Castle Lake Temp Avg:
122.5
Castle Lake Snow Depth:
179
Mount Eddy Wind Gust Max:
8.06
Mount Eddy Snow Depth:
165.9
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Cur:
10.5
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Min:
10.5
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Max:
27
Ash Creek Bowl Temp Avg:
18.5
Ash Creek Bowl Snow New:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Cur:
6.5
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Min:
6.5
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Max:
24.5
Ash Creek Ridge Temp Avg:
15
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Cur:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Max:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Gust Max:
0
Mt. Shasta City Temp Cur:
28
Mt. Shasta City Temp Min:
27
Mt. Shasta City Temp Max:
43
Mt. Shasta City Temp Avg:
33.5
Mt. Shasta City Wind Cur:
4
Mt. Shasta City Wind Min:
0
Mt. Shasta City Wind Max:
7
Mt. Shasta City Wind Avg:
2.5
Grey Butte Wind Avg:
18.5
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Min:
0
Ash Creek Ridge Wind Avg:
0
Sand Flat Snow Settlement:
1
Ski Bowl Snow Settlement:
0
Castle Lake Snow Settlement:
1.7
Mount Eddy Snow Settlement:
0
Ash Creek Bowl Snow Settlement:
149.4
Measured Precipitation Oct:
39.81
Normal Precipitation Oct:
30.82
Percent Precipitation Oct:
129
Measured Precipitation MTD:
0.09
Normal Precipitation MTD:
0.28
Percent Precipitation MTD:
32
Measured Precipitation YTD:
30.68
Normal Precipitation YTD:
18.58
Percent Precipitation YTD:
165
Tomorrow Wind Max 7-9:
15
Tonight Wind Max 9-11:
35
Tomorrow Wind Max 9-11:
40
Tonight Wind Min 9-11:
25
Tomorrow Wind Min 9-11:
30
Tonight Snow Max 7-9:
0.00
Tomorrow Snow Max 7-9:
0.00
Tonight Snow Min 7-9:
0.00
Tomorrow Snow Min 7-9:
0.00
Today Snow Max 9-11:
3.00
Tonight Snow Max 9-11:
0.00
Tomorrow Snow Max 9-11:
0.00
Today Snow Min 9-11:
1.00
Tonight Snow Min 9-11:
0.00
Tomorrow Snow Min 9-11:
0.00
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:
Considerable
