Quick report
The first round of New Year's precipitation arrived warm and wet on Mount Shasta. Just 1 to 2 inches of new, wet snow sit atop the old snow from the Christmas storm at the Shasta Alpine Hut (Horse Camp), despite the Old Ski Bowl reporting over 1.75 inches of snow water equivalent since New Year's Eve: about a 1 to 1 snow to liquid ratio. At ~8,300 feet, a textured rime crust (see photos) appeared on all exposed aspects above that elevation, likely a result of a period of riming earlier in the storm. This rime crust put a cap on the snowpack and limited the amount of soft snow available for transport. About 3 inches of recent snow sat underneath the rime crust at 8,500 feet, and a dusting of new snow lay on top. Moving into the next significant round of precipitation Friday night into Saturday morning, the rime crust will be the interface for multiple feet of new snow through the weekend.
Light snow transport from predominantly southeast winds over exposed ridgelines.Weather
- Air Temp
- 32
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- light
- Recent Snowfall
- 3
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Above-freezing temperatures and a wintry mix upon our arrival at Bunny Flat. Rain transitioned to wet snow around 7,500 feet, and drier snow above 8,200 feet. Moderate predominantly southeast winds with strong gusts along the exposed sections of lower Casval Ridge, although wind direction was variable. Obscured skies throughout the duration of the tour.
Snowpack
- Below treeline the snowpack is damp and soggy throughout
- Near treeline (at roughly 8,300 feet) a widespread rime crust has formed over all aspects and surfaces. At this elevation the crust was less than half an inch thick and supportable to skis but not boots. At 8,500 feet, the crust was measured at half an inch thick. South-southeast winds transported snow at a light rate throughout the field visit. Due to crusty surfaces, meager precipitation, and high snow levels, no actively forming wind drifts were observed.
- Above treeline winds could be heard howling