Overview

• Strong easterly to southeasterly winds lifted loose deposits from the 1980 eruption, producing conspicuous plumes over the volcano seen on webcams and satellite imagery.
• Commercial pilots and the National Weather Service reported ash reaching roughly 10,000 feet, prompting cautions for aircraft operating near the area.
• Monitoring shows no eruptive signals, and Mount St. Helens remains at Alert Level Normal with Aviation Color Code Green, according to USGS.
• Forecasters expect winds to ease and the airborne ash to settle, with temporary reductions in visibility and air quality possible near the mountain.
• Reports of ash on southern Vancouver Island were assessed as wildfire-derived rather than volcanic, USGS and Environment Canada said.