You are here

Grey Butte

Location Name: 
Grey Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Mon, 01/23/2017 - 10:00am
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
Red Flags:
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path

Location Map

United States
41° 20' 56.094" N, 122° 11' 39.084" W
See map: Google Maps
US

Avalanche Observations

Details

SS-NS-R2-D2-S

Natural wind slab avalanche occurred during our recent storm events, likely 2 days ago.  The avalanche occurred near treeline on a northwest aspect at 8000ft on Grey Butte.  The crown of the avalanche ranged from 3-4ft, and the bed surface had filled in with at least 2 additional feet of new snow since the event.  The crown was about 900ft wide and the avalanche ran 600ft to the bottom of the slope.

The snowpit photo below is of a test pit dug today in an area nearby the avalanche on a south facing slope at 7840ft.

Snow Pit / Crown Profile Photos

Characteristics

Avalanche Type: 
DrySlab
Trigger type: 
Natural
Slope: 
35degrees
Aspect: 
Northwest
Elevation: 
8 000ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Weak Layer: 
Storm Snow
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Crown Height: 
3 ft
Avalanche Width: 
900ft.
Avalanche Length: 
600ft.

Weather Observations

Details

Sky was obscured for most of the day above 5000ft.  Winds were light throughout the day.  Snowfall was minimal, and no new snow accumulation was observed.

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: 
Cooling
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
West