Lawinenlagebericht

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Heightened avalanche conditions exist in the form of wind drifted snow and wet loose activity. Wind slabs are possible near and above treeline, primarily on westerly and southerly aspects. Wet loose activity will build through the day as temperatures warm, and the sun gets high in the sky. To reduce your risk, avoid steep, wind loaded terrain near ridgelines and exposed slopes, and warming solar aspects in the late afternoon. Maintain an avalanche-mindset as you step out into upper elevation terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    The last few days have brought multiple changing wind directions, all transporting snow onto different aspects. Most slopes near and above treeline have potential of holding wind transported snow. Yesterday's field observations found wind slabs, reactive to skis, on west/northwest aspects near and above treeline. As you venture into higher elevation terrain, the most emphasis and assessment should be on westerly and southerly aspects, with cross loading possible on all other aspects. Wind loaded slopes will be the largest on leeward sides of exposed slopes and ridgelines. Look for cracking, wind drifted features, and small test slopes for signs of instability.

    (3/30/2024)

    Skier triggered wind slab. 30 feet wide and up to 8 inches deep. Westerly aspect, near treeline

    Photo: Samuel Clairmont

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    The clear skies, today, will likely provide enough radiative heating to loosen solar aspects. This time of year, it doesn't take much sun for the snow surface to saturate, and for wet loose avalanches to become possible. Though the next couple of days are much warmer, today will be the start. As the sun gets high, keep your eye out for destabilizing surface snow. Early signs will be prevalent roller balls, and pinwheels, failing test slopes, and deep boot penetration. 

    Example of wet loose avalanches in steep terrain on Mount Shasta

Avalanche Discussion

The storm system that arrived on Thursday (3/27) has finally pushed south, allowing high pressure to set in over the forecast area. Yesterday's Green Butte observations found 24 inches of new snow across the south side of Mount Shasta, sitting on top of a widespread melt-freeze crust from the last major warm up. All in all, the new snow has settled and consolidated quickly, showing few signs of storm snow reactivity. That being said, wind slab instability has been prevalent in terrain near and above treeline over the last 2–3 days. Green housing has allowed surface snow to moisten below 8,000 feet. 

Yesterday, along with Green Butte, forecasters assessed the Eddy Mountains. In this zone, around 15 inches of new snow was measured, a little less than what was found on Mount Shasta. The sun made no appearance, but snow surfaces still became moist by the end of the day. Wind effect was noticeable on exposed slopes, with easily triggered small slabs in the Parks Creek area. 

Over the next few days, temperatures will continue to warm, pushing higher each day. As the sun comes out and temperatures climb, expect to see wet loose instability rise congruently. Ice fall and rock fall should also be accounted for while traveling under features such as Casaval, Green Butte, Shastarama, Trinity Chutes, and similar features. 

Abgedeckte Regionen