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Base of Gray Butte

Location Name: 
Gray Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/13/2021 - 12:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 20' 28.7952" N, 122° 12' 7.9128" W
California US

Snowpack Observations

Details

On a tour from the Mount Shasta Ski Park to Gray Butte, we encountered 25-30 inches of storm snow that has fallen since Saturday afternoon. Although we made it to the base of Gray Butte, we were not able to see any areas of wind affect or areas where old snow existed under the new snow. Winds were light. Many hidden obstacles existed in the new snow along the way. Aside from a plethora of new snow, no obvious signs of avalanche danger were seen, though visibility was low.

New snow is low density (fist hard) throughout. A slight density change within the pack caused easy column test failures, though the slab on top was very soft and not very cohesive. There was no propagation.

The Mount Shasta Ski Park has a good base to work with and is on track for opening Friday.

  • Observation Location: Base of Gray Butte
  • Elevation:
  • Date: 20211213
  • Time: 12:00
  • Observer: Aaron Beverly
  • Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
  • Current Precipitation: Type - SN, Rate - S2
  • Air Temperature: 24 °F
  • Surface Penetration: Ski penetration (PS) = 8-12 in (20-30 cm)
  • Total Snow Depth (HS):  25-30 in (65-75 cm)
  • 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 10 in (25 cm)
  • Wind Direction: SW
  • Wind Speed: Light (L), 1-16 mi/hr, twigs in motion
  • Column & Block Tests:
    • Slope Angle & Aspect: 25º, SW
    • CT8 BRK ↓ 14 in (35 cm)

Photos

  • 25-30 inches storm snow
  • 8-12 inch ski penetration
  • Easy failures 14 inches down, very soft slab on density change

Weather Observations

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
West