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Small wind slab avalanches on Casaval Ridge
Location Name:
Casaval Ridge, Mount ShastaDate and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown):
Tue, 03/31/2020 - 2:00amObservation made by:
ForecasterLocation Map
Avalanche Observations
Details
Characteristics
Avalanche Type:
SlabTrigger type:
NaturalSlope:
39degreesAspect:
SoutheastElevation:
9 000ft.Terrain:
Above TreelineWeak Layer:
Storm SnowBed Surface:
Old SnowAvalanche Width:
50ft.Avalanche Length:
300ft.Number of similar avalanches:
1Weather Observations
Statistics
Cloud Cover:
75% of the sky covered by cloudsBlowing Snow:
YesPrecipitation:
SnowAccumulation rate:
Less than 1 in. per hourAir temperature:
Above FreezingAir temperature trend:
WarmingWind Speed:
ModerateWind Direction:
Northwest
A few small natural wind slab avalanches were reported to have occurred along Casaval Ridge. From the vantage point of Green Butte Ridge, I was able to get a brief view of two debris piles from these slides. One around 9,000 feet and the other near 10,000 feet. The crowns were difficult to decern as the continued westerly wind was refilling the avalanche paths. A best estimate is that these avalanches occurred sometime around 2 AM this morning (20200331; 0200 hours) during a period of productive northwesterly wind. Our Gray Butte weather station has recorded 22 hours of moderate westerly winds in the last 24 hours. This wind event started at 8 PM last night (20200330; 2000 hours).