Gray Butte

• Observation Location: Gray Butte via Ski Park
• Elevation: Up to 8,200 feet
• Date: 20210102
• Time: 1230 to 1430 hours
• Observer: Ryan Sorenson
• Sky Conditions: Overcast (OVC) 
• Current Precipitation: Yes, S-1. Very light snowfall, less than 0.5 inches per hour. 
• Air Temperature: 24.5 °F at 1400 
• Surface Penetration: 1 to 2 in / 2-5 cm
• Total Snow Depth (HS): ~19 in / 50 cm below-near treeline west aspect.
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 1-2 in / 2-5 cm
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W):  0.1 in
• Wind Direction: West
• Wind Speed: 13 mi/hr at 1400

It was a misty afternoon touring up Grey Butte to look at current storm conditions. Snow levels varied from 5,500 to 6,500 feet as it lightly precipitated.  A thick, soupy fog held the visibility down to 100 feet, sometimes less.  The 1-2 inches of fresh snow sits over a shallow snowpack. Southerly aspects are thin and skinning involves weaving in and out of rocky manzanita patches. I was able to find slightly deeper snow on the protected west side of the butte.  The deepest I measured was 19 inches (50 cm). A zipper thin sun crust exists under the fresh snow. Smooth turns were possible if you were light on your feet. 

Fresh wind slabs up to a foot deep were observed on the ridgeline.  These were unreactive to stomping on small test slopes.

Winds were calm for most of the tour. A light westerly breeze was felt at the top of the ridge.