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Gray Butte

Location Name: 
Gray Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/02/2019 - 4:00pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 20' 44.4408" N, 122° 11' 46.1112" W
See map: Google Maps
California US

Snowpack Observations

Details

Observations on tour from Mount Shasta Ski Park parking lot to summit of Gray Butte:

  • Winds: Calm, West
  • Temp: Warming temperatures above freezing 
  • Surface textures were variable with creamy warm soft snow over a supportable crust above 7,000 feet.
  • Wet heavy snow below 7,000 feet
  • Settlement cones were seen around tree wells. 
  • Warming temperatures caused trees to shed large amounts of snow below 7,000 feet. 
  • Wind affected areas were not reactive to ski trigger.
  • No signs of instabilities.
  • Height of snow near summit of Gray Butte: > 500 cm (> 197 in), could not hit ground.
  • Right side up snow pack near treeline: Fist to 1 finger hardness 
  • Column tests on south-west aspect at 7,900 feet did not produce notable results:
    • CTM 11 Taps Sudden Planar Break (CTM SP) ↓ 38 cm (14 inches).
    • CTH 28 Taps Sudden Planar break (CT21 SP) ↓ 78 cm (30 inches).
    • ECTN ↓ 38 cm (14 inches).
  • Late afternoon, below treeline snow surfaces were wet and heavy.
  • Settlement cones noted on tree wells. 
  • No signs of recent avalanches, though visibility was limited.

Photos

  • Settlement and tree bombs observed below 7,000 feet

Weather Observations

Details

A warming trend and misty rain were observed up to 7,000 feet. Low visibility and calm winds were observed at 8,000 feet. 

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
No
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Wind Direction: 
West