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Ash Creek Butte East Bowl

Location Name: 
Ash Creek Butte East Bowl
Region: 
East of Mt Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/16/2016 - 10:30pm
Observation made by: 
Forecaster
Red Flags:
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Location Map

United States
41° 26' 58.596" N, 122° 2' 40.2036" W
See map: Google Maps
US

Snowpack Observations

Details

Wind transport of snow, and wind slab development was observed above treeline on Ash Creek Butte today.  With moderate to strong westerly winds, easterly aspects above treeline were most subject to wind loading.   A very shallow pocket of wind loaded snow failed on a test slope while skinning along a ridgeline (see photo).  Snowpack stability was very good near and below treeline, however.  Stability tests conducted on a NE aspect at 7400ft in the east bowl of Ash Creek Butte indicated good snowpack structure, high strength, and low propagation propensity (ECTX x2, CTN x2, CTH RP down 45cm).

Photos

  • Wind Transport
  • Ash Creek Butte Ridge Weather Station
  • Shooting Cracks, shallow wind slab pocket on test slope

Weather Observations

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Wind Direction: 
West