Mt. Fitzherbert

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift to the northeast today.

Recent observations: No significant changes in the level or type of activity at the mountain have been noted since yesterday’s update. Another larger earthquake occurred at 0234 PST this morning, followed by another 30-40 minute lull in “drumbeat” earthquakes. Pictures from the USFS web camera at the Johnston Ridge Observatory this morning are a mix of clouds, snowflakes, and occasional glimpses of the snow-coated Pumice Plain north of the volcano. Weather forecasts call for more rain and snow today at the volcano, with no end in sight. It has been 26 days since our last good look on December 18, the longest gap between visual observations since the eruption started in 2004.