Mt. Fitzherbert

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift northward or northeastward.

Recent observations: The dome building eruption at Mount St. Helens that began in October 2004 enters its fifth calendar year this morning. The wintry view from Johnston Ridge Observatory shows most of the growing dome’s flanks covered with snow. Data from monitoring networks show no change in eruptive conditions. At first opportunity, field crews will attempt to repair equipment damaged by recent storms.