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Above Treeline

Soft slab atop impenetrable ice layer
Location Name: 
Near Sunbowl
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/18/2018 - 2:00pm
Observation made by: 
Professional Observer
Red Flags:
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 22' 6.2616" N, 122° 13' 3.8244" W
See map: Google Maps
California US

Snowpack Observations

Details

Notable conditions on tour from Bunny Flat to lower Sunbowl:

  • Height of new snow in last 12 hours (HN12): 5 cm (2 in).
  • Height of new snow since Sunday (HN48): 32-38 cm (12-14 in).
  • Temperature trend: warming.
  • Above treeline, moderate SW winds transporting snow.
  • Slope cuts yielded no results (SCN).
  • Soft (F+ hardness) 20 cm (8 in) wind slab atop impenetrable ice layer on easterly aspect of lower Sunbowl:
    • ECTX
    • Very little cohesion in slab.
    • Could be a concern if hard wind slab forms on top.

Photos

  • Ski cuts below treeline on steep convexities - no result
  • Visibility above treeline - limited. Moderate SW winds.
  • Soft wind slab (F+) atop impenetrable ice layer - ECTX

Weather Observations

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Wind Direction: 
Southwest