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Avalanche Advisory for 2013-03-24 06:25:12

  • EXPIRED ON March 25, 2013 @ 6:25 am
    Published on March 24, 2013 @ 6:25 am
  • Issued by Nick Meyers - Shasta-Trinity National Forest

The avalanche danger today is low for all aspects and elevations. This past Tuesday and Wednesday we had a warm storm drop about 4"-8" inches of snow to elevations above 6,500 ft and rain below. Following that, northwest winds howled stripping most if not all of the available new snow away. Conditions are firm and stable over the forecast area though there could be areas of small wind slabs snow in isolated areas near rock outcrops, chutes, gullies and wind eddies. Remember that low avalanche danger means that avalanches are still possible! Normal caution advised.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Forecast Hotline: (530) 926-9613

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab

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While the north wind has blown most of the snow away, small wind slabs will be found in isolated areas on Mt. Shasta near rock outcrops, chutes, gullies and wind eddies. These wind slabs are small in size, and if triggered, will likely not be of consequence. It will still be prudent to keep your eye out for larger pockets of wind deposited snow as you travel on the mountain.

Avalanche Problem 2: Normal Caution

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Normal caution advised.

Recent Observations

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Overall, snow conditions are firm and stable over the forecast area. We are in transition of seasons now and a variety of skiing conditions will be found out in the backcountry. Four to six inches of new snow fell last Tuesday night and Wednesday. Snow levels were high around 6,500 feet while lower elevations received rain. The Castle Lake area has reported grim snow coverage and the lake is looking quite slushy. On the mountain, packed powder and generally firm snow exist with erosional wind features mixed in.It will still be a week or two before we get into a good corn cycle.

No recent avalanche activity has been witnessed or reported and stability tests have produced no results.

While loose-wet avalanches are not a concern at this time, as Spring approaches and temperatures begin to warm, spring skiers and climbers should keep these type of avalanches in mind. Sunny days and spring time can cause folks to forget their "avalanche awareness". Loose-wet slides occur every year on Mt. Shasta and can be very large and harmful to human life! This is a great video from the Gallatin Avalanche Center, Bozeman, MT demonstrating small loose-wet slides: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWpRQzgtL3o&feature=share&list=PLXu5151nmAvT7gHqdNajDBGfGY4u5XMSL

 

    Weather and Current Conditions

    Weather Summary

    High pressure will finish off our weekend and today should be pretty nice. Winds are calming and the sun will shine and warm temps for this fine Sunday...it should be a great day for recreation. A series of fronts will begin to roll into the area Monday and bring a change in the weather pattern. While no winter warnings or watches have been issued, we should see a little bit of precipitation out of these storms with high snow levels. The first chance of precip will be near Tuesday morning and continue to be intermittent through the week. Snow levels won't drop to much less than 5,000 feet and northwest winds should be light to moderate.

    WEATHER STATIONS - (last 24 hours):
    In Mt. Shasta City at 0500, we have clear skies and with and a current temperature of 30 F.
    On Mt. Shasta:  In the Old Ski Bowl (7,600') on the south side of Mt. Shasta, we have a current temperature of  30F. Snow on the ground totals 105" inches with .5" setttlement. Temperatures have ranged from 19F to 41F.  At Grey Butte (8,000') on the south side of Mt. Shasta winds averaged 10 mph from various directions with a max gust of 28 from the NW. The current temperature is 29F and temps have ranged 24F to 38F.
    Castle/Mt. Eddy:   Castle Lake - Castle Lake is hosting a current temp of 31F. Temperatures have ranged from 17F to 43F. Snow depth measures 43" inches with little settlement.  On Mt Eddy, we have 60" inches of snow on the ground with little settlement. The current temperature reads 34F with temps ranging from 26F to 40F. Winds have been averaging 2 mph from the SE and gusting to 11 mph - ESE.

    THIS SEASON:  September and October were warm and dry with September recording exactly zero precipitation. November remained warmer than normal with precipitation almost double normal values, 9.16" vs. 5.08". A local weather COOP observed the 2nd wettest November on record. December started out wet and warm, but temperatures cooled and brought snow to very low elevations. Since our avalanche cycle near Christmas, we've had a few small storms that brought some amounts of snow to the area, but did not produced any notable avalanches. January was below normal for precipitation with a long period of high pressure and sun that kept skiing conditions somewhat meager. We've had a few storms for 2013 that have brought us glimpses of wintery weather, but nothing to write home about!   California and the Sierra Nevada have recorded the driest January and February on record. We currently have 5'-8.5' feet of snow above 6,500 ft. Since September 1st, Mt Shasta sits at 70% of normal, 24.60" recorded; normal 35.03". For 2013, we sit at 20% of normal with 3.90" recorded and 19.15" normal.

    CURRENT CONDITIONS at Bunny Flat (6950 ft)
    Weather Station Map
    Weather Station Table
    0600 temperature: 18
    Max. temperature in the last 24 hours: 33
    Average wind direction during the last 24 hours: North until 0900, then ESE
    Average wind speed during the last 24 hours: 40-50mph until 0900, then 5-10mph mi/hr
    Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours: 71 on Gray Butte mi/hr
    New snowfall in the last 24 hours: 0 inches
    Total snow depth: 60-106 inches

    Two Day Mountain Weather Forecast

    Produced in partnership with the Medford NWS

    For 7000 ft to 9000 ft
      Sunday
    (4 a.m. to 10 p.m.)     		Sunday Night
    (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.)     		Monday
    (4 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
    Weather Partly cloudy mostly cloudy Partly cloudy
    Temperature (°F) 50 26 49
    Wind (mi/hr) Northwest 10-15 mph with gusts higher Southeast 5-10 mph with gusts higher South 5-10 mph
    Precipitation SWE / Snowfall (in) / 0 / 0 / 0
    For 9000 ft to 11000 ft
      Sunday Sunday Night Monday
    Weather Partly sunny and windy Clear and windy! Sunny and windy!
    Temperature (°F) 35 18 37
    Wind (mi/hr) North northwest 40-50 mph this morning and then decreasing to 30-40 mph this afternoon, with gusts higher as always! West 0 Southwest 20-30 mph with gusts higher
    Precipitation SWE / Snowfall (in) / 0 / 0 / 0

    Disclaimer

    This advisory does not apply to Ski Areas or Highways and is for the Mt. Shasta, Castle Lake and Mt. Eddy back country. Use this information for guidance only. You may find different conditions in the back country and should travel accordingly. This advisory expires on midnight of the date it was posted unless otherwise noted.