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Location Name: 
Gray Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
12:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
Red Flags:
avy
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Snowpack Observations

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Observations from the northwest aspect of Gray Butte

Overall snow surface conditions remained light, dry, and cold, with 19 inches (50 cm) of new snow measured at 7,600 feet. Visibility near and above treeline was poor, with all of Mount Shasta obscured by clouds. Winds were light out of the southwest, with no wind transport observed. Light precipitation continued in the form of graupel and snow.

The most notable observations from today were the obvious signs of instability. Shooting cracks were first seen off of skis while ascending Gray Butte. On the ski down, virtually any open slope close to 30 degrees would shoot cracks and settle without enough momentum to slide. This was a tell-tale sign that any slope steep enough could produce an avalanche. A pit dug at 7,600 feet (NW aspect) showed the 19 inches of new sitting on top of a thin crust, with the February 27-28 snow below. This pit showed a right side up snowpack, with 3 feet of dense consolidated snow beneath last night's new snow. Upon tests, an ECTP was observed on tap 13. The failure plane was 14 inches down within the 19 inches of new snow. A thin 4-5mm graupel layer that fell in between storms on March 4th was the culprit.

On another note, avalanche debris could be seen buried underneath fresh snow below the chutes of the northwest face. Based off of the recent timeline, this likely happened during the recent peak storm intensity.



Based off of the forecast and new snow, I took no chances, and stayed clear of avalanche terrain.

  • Observation Location: Northwest face of Gray Butte
  • Elevation: 7,600 feet
  • Date: 20230305
  • Time: 1200
  • Observer: S. Clairmont
  • Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
  • Current Precipitation: Type - SN, Rate - S-1
  • Air Temperature: 20 °F
  • Total Snow Depth (HS): 168 in (427 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 14 in (36 cm)
  • Wind Direction: SW
  • Wind Speed: Light (L), 1-16 mi/hr, twigs in motion
  • Column & Block Tests:
    • Slope Angle & Aspect (30º, NW)
    • ECTP13 ↓ 14 in (31 cm)

Weather Observations

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Location Name: 
Green Butte Ridge
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
1:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
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Snowpack Observations

Details

Signs of instability were very obvious today. Strong winds, moderate to high snow accumulation rates, cracking, and triggering of storm slab avalanches were all prevalent during today's tour. These red flags were found below, near, and above treeline.

  • Visibility remained poor while on the mountain. Upper Mount Shasta was completely obscured from view above treeline. Orientation became challenging once leaving the trees. The sun made an appearance around 2pm.
  • Snow accumulation rates were around 1 inch per hour. New snow totals varied on aspect and terrain feature. Windward features had three inches, while other areas showed closer to eight inches.
  • Wind remained moderate out of the southeast, with strong gusts near and above treeline. These winds were actively transporting new snow to leeward terrain features. 
  • Numerous storm slab avalanches were intentionally triggered on test slopes with W-S-E aspects. These avalanches slid on the new snow old snow interface. The old snow presented with a firm but punchable surface crust to which the new slow could easily slide.
  • Temperatures remained cold throughout the outing, keeping the snow cold and dry.



     
  • Observation Location: Green Butte Ridge
  • Elevation: 8,200 feet
  • Date: 20230304
  • Time: 1300
  • Observer: S. Clairmont
  • Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
  • Current Precipitation: Type - SN, Rate - S2
  • Air Temperature: 15 °F
  • Surface Penetration: Ski penetration (PS) = 6 in (15 cm)
  • Total Snow Depth (HS): 157 in (399 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 6 in (15 cm)
  • Wind Direction: SE
  • Wind Speed: Moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway

Weather Observations

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Location Name: 
Gray Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
1:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
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Snowpack Observations

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Observations from the Gray butte area

Snow has returned to Mount Shasta. Road conditions to Mount Shasta Ski Park began to deteriorate as snowfall intensity increased later in the morning.

Below treeline, the February 24th snow has continued settling, becoming slightly more supportable on skis. Moderate snowfall rates were encountered throughout the outing, with increased intensity at higher elevation. Precipitation consisted of small snowflakes and graupel. Winds remained moderate out of the west, transporting snow onto leeward aspects. A thin melt freeze surface crust has formed overnight with the cooling temperatures. The surface crust is thicker on solar aspects.

Near treeline, three to four inches of new snow was found on the surface crust (Measured around 12pm).

Above treeline, visibility was very poor. Blowing snow was evident.

No signs of snowpack instability or avalanches were observed today. However, on solar aspects, the new snow showed no signs of bonding to the firm melt freeze crust underneath. This may be a problem in the coming days. 

 

Observation Location: Gray Butte

  • Elevation: 7,500 feet
  • Date: 20230226
  • Time: 1300
  • Observer: S. Clairmont
  • Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
  • Current Precipitation: Type - SN to GR, Rate - S2
  • Air Temperature: 17 °F
  • Total Snow Depth (HS): 140 in (356 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 4 in (10 cm)
  • Wind Direction: S | SW 
  • Wind Speed: Moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway

Weather Observations

Statistics

Location Name: 
Gray Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
1:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
Red Flags:
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Snowpack Observations

Details

Observations from Gray Butte between 11am and 2pm

The sun was out early and strong today. Saturation of the snowpack started almost immediately, with the new snow turning quite heavy as the day went on. Ski touring proved to be tiring and difficult with the deep conditions out there. 

Below treeline, temperatures rose quickly with light winds out of the east. Exposed ridgelines, showed remarkable wind drifts, textured snow, and sastrugi nearly three feet tall. Settling cracks below trees showed signs of a quickly consolidating snowpack. 

Near treeline, winds remained moderate out of the east, helping to keep temperatures slightly cooler than lower elevations. Variable surface conditions were in abundance, ranging from areas scoured to the old snow, to extreme wind drifts and sastrugi. No wind transport was observed during the outing. 

A pit dug at ~7,500 feet with a northwest aspect showed 80 cm (31 in) of new snow (4f - F) on top of a thin graupel layer (1f) with melt freeze old snow underneath. The new snow is right side up, well glued to the old snow, and did not show signs of instability. This could be due to the amount of warming and settling that occurred during the day. Tests resulted in a ECTX for the most part, with a slight collapse in the new snow at a marignal density change. 

No avalanches were observed today. That being said, based off the amount of new snow and recent wind, we took no chances and stayed very clear of avalanche terrain today. 

  • Observation Location: Gray Butte
  • Elevation: 8,000 feet
  • Date: 20230225
  • Time: 1300
  • Observer: S. Clairmont and N. Meyers
  • Sky Conditions: Clear (CLR)
  • Current Precipitation: Type - NO
  • Air Temperature: 28 °F
  • Surface Penetration: Ski penetration (PS) = 18 in (46 cm)
  • Total Snow Depth (HS): 31 in (80 cm)
  • Wind Direction: E
  • Wind Speed: Moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway

Weather Observations

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Location Name: 
Parks Creek Summit Area
Region: 
Mt Eddy
Date and time of observation: 
1:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
Red Flags:

Location Map

Snowpack Observations

Details

Snow was encountered at around 5,200 feet, about 3.5 miles up the 17 Road.

  • Below treeline, soft snow can still be found in shaded and protected areas. Signs of snowpack settlement can be seen easily at the base of trees. Winds remained light out of the southeast.
  • Near treeline, variable conditions were prevalent. Melt freeze crusts, old wind slab, soft decaying snow, and scoured ice patches could all be found across all aspects. Moderate southeast winds remained consistent throughout the day, however, the current poor surface conditions did not allow for any wind transport.
  • Lenticular clouds could be seen over Mount Shasta and Castle Lake, suggesting strong winds aloft.
  • Snow became saturated midday, allowing for clumping and sticking while touring.

No signs of avalanche activity or snowpack instability was observed. 

  • Observation Location: Parks Creek summit area
  • Elevation: 8,000 feet
  • Date: 20230219
  • Time: 1300
  • Observer: S. Clairmont
  • Sky Conditions: Few (FEW)
  • Current Precipitation: NO
  • Air Temperature: 40 °F
  • Total Snow Depth (HS): 100 in (254 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 0 in (0 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): 0 in (0 cm)
  • Wind Direction: SE
  • Wind Speed: Moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway

Weather Observations

Statistics

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