Wind slabs easily triggered on Mt Shasta

A fast moving winter storm swept through this morning, kicking in about daylight and bringing an initial burst of 1-3" of snow at Bunny Flat and 4-6" in the Old Ski Bowl area. Snow was on again, off again during the day. The sky remained obscured. Blue sky and sunshine did not come out to play. The wind was apparent near and above treeline, but spatially variable. One area you'd feel it, not far away you wouldn't. West/Northwest wind speeds overall were diminished today and provided for some good wind loading on northeast, east, southeast aspects where wind was apparent. Temps reached 29.5 F at 1400 hours near treeline. Triggering small wind slabs on test slopes was easy and cracking in the snowpack was observed. Cornices were fragile. Wind slabs were 5-7 inches thick and consisted of the new storm snow and subsequent loading by WNW wind. Below treeline, extended column tests could easily fracture soft slabs within small amount of new snow, but did not propagate.

• Observation Location: Below, Near, Above Treeline Storm Tour - Mt. Shasta
• Elevation: 6,950 to 9,000 feet.
• Date: 20210218
• Time: Afternoon
• Observer: N Meyers
• Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
• Current Precipitation: Type - SN, Rate - S-1
• Air Temperature: 30.5°F high temp at 1400 hours
• Surface Penetration: Boot penetration (PF) = 10-15 in (25-38 cm)
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 80.5 in (204 cm)
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 3-6 in (7-15 cm)
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): ~.57 in (approximate)
• Wind Direction: NW early this morning, switching to WNW in the afternoon
• Wind Speed: Moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway 
• Column & Block Tests:
  • Slope Angle & Aspect 30º, E
  • ECTN3 ↓ [4] in (10 cm) x 2 (near treeline)
  • Easy failures within wind slabs and cornices above treeline and wind exposed areas elsewhere near treeline.