Lawinenlagebericht

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Wet, warm, and windy weather continues. Wind slabs remain a concern on leeward aspects in extreme terrain. Evaluate the snowpack carefully and use caution in areas with dry, wind-affected surfaces directly below exposed terrain features. Where rain has fallen on snow, wet loose instability is increasing. Watch for rollerballs and avoid steep slopes with large amounts of saturated surface snow above terrain traps. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southwest winds will continue to howl overhead throughout the forecast period. A warm weather trend has limited dry snow available for transport, reducing—but not eliminating—the likelihood of encountering wind slabs. Yesterday’s snowfall and winds formed drifts several inches thick in leeward areas, with deeper drifts observed directly below ridgelines. Wind slab activity was primarily observed on northerly aspects.

    The most suspect aspects are west, north, and east facing slopes near and above treeline, where dry, wind-stiffened snow sits below ridgelines, rollovers, and rock outcrops. Look for blowing snow and use small, inconsequential test slopes to assess for shooting cracks and reactivity before committing to avalanche terrain.

    (2/22/2026)

    Skier triggered wind slab on small test slope on a northwest aspect at 7,400 feet 

    Photo: Eric Falconer

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rain on snow and warm temperatures have left surfaces wet and weak. Wet loose instability will be most likely below treeline, with near treeline elevations developing later in the forecast period. Instabilities will be greatest on very steep slopes and terrain features, like chutes and gullies. Watch for natural signs of instability, such as rollerballs and point releases, which indicate unstable snow conditions. Seek mellower terrain or more supportable surfaces if you find yourself sinking into wet snow past your boot top. Steep slopes receiving active rainfall are best to avoid.

    (1/1/2026)

    Soggy surfaces and pinwheels, as shown here, are indicators of wet snow instabilities. 

    Photo: Christian Jordan

Avalanche Discussion

Maritime weather has returned, closing the chapter on the cold, snowy spell that began around February 12th. With high freezing levels, rain on snow, and moist surfaces up to 8,500 feet, it's possible any lingering wind slab instabilities have diminished. However, alpine terrain on Mount Shasta has not been thoroughly observed in several days, and the potential for wind slabs cannot be ruled out, especially in extreme terrain.

 A few inches of snow are forecast to fall above treeline over the next 48 hours. If you are planning to travel high on the volcano, keep wind slabs on your radar.

Looking ahead, wet loose instability will take center stage. Many surfaces near and below treeline have been rained on or dampened by humidity. Although this problem is expected to progress gradually, do not underestimate the destructive potential of wet snow in consequential terrain.

Thank you to the folks who joined our motorized Know Before You Go class and Companion Rescue yesterday at Deer Mountain Sno Park. We had a great time!

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