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In and out of the clouds on Grey Butte

Location Name: 
Grey Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/03/2018 - 11:30pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
Red Flags:
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 20' 57.6024" N, 122° 11' 34.1412" W
See map: Google Maps
California US

Snowpack Observations

Details

During a tour from the top of Coyote at the Mount Shasta Ski Park to the top of Grey Butte:

  • Height of new snow (since 02/28) ranged from 70-95cm
  • Height of snow ranged from 100-220cm
  • No avalanches were observed with visibility up to 10k on the south side of Mount Shasta
  • Multiple whumphs occurred near and below treeline
  • Wind loading has occurred near and above treeline on N-NE-E-SE-S aspect
  • Wind scalloped snow surfaces visible above 8500ft on Mount Shasta
  • Hand pits and stability tests conducted near treeline and below treeline on NE, E, SE, S, SW, W aspects revealed the greatest layer concern to be the new snow/ old snow interface. A layer of .5mm rounding facets sitting just below a crust buried 70-95cm below the snow surface produced sudden collapse fractures in compression tests and inconsistent propagation in extended column and propagation saw tests
  • The new snow was right side up and low-density
  • Ski penetration was 30cm, and boot penetration was 60-80cm
  • A .5cm thin zipper crust formed at the snow surface up to 7500ft  

Photos

Weather Observations

Details

Overcast skies with light snowfall occurred for most of the day with 1-2 inches of new snow accumulating. In the late afternoon, skies began to clear with full views Mount Shasta from town by 5pm. Winds were calm to light out of the NW. 

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
No
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
Northwest