Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Several days of mild weather have made for low danger across the forecast area with many firm, crispy, wind affected snow surfaces. Your focus should be new snow instabilities associated with the arriving storms. The avalanche danger will increase as new snow piles up, and potential slabs begin to form. Expect mostly low danger today until significant new snow accumulates on old, firm surfaces. Sunday will bring the brunt of the precipitation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Today will be windy over higher terrain, blowing south to north. Existing snow instabilities are minimal. New wind slabs are the primary concern. As drifts begin to build, more caution is warranted. Northerly aspects will be the best place to find new wind slabs. Cross loaded east, and west aspects are possible too. Identify the wind slab problem by watching for signs of instability (shooting cracks, collapsing) on leeward aspects, especially in or near steep couloirs, cliff bands, or slope convexities. 

Avalanche Discussion

The time has come, but don't all come at once... The Everitt Memorial Highway is OPEN. Rejoice! Castle Lake road is still closed for now. It's been several days since our last big dump. The snowpack has settled out well. On the south side of Mount Shasta, 172 inches of snow is on the ground. On the west side in the Castle Lake and Eddy Mountains, about 130 inches and the east side Ash Creek Butte area, 140 inches. Over near the north side, Military Pass area, about 40 inches is on the ground. Skiing and riding have been sub-par, and we are ready for a refresh. Check out yesterday's observation from the mountain here.  Today will bring a few inches of snow, tomorrow...more! By Monday, a foot plus is possible in the mountains. Existing snow surfaces host widespread crispy, crusty surfaces, sastrugi,  a lot of wind texture, rimed ridges and wet snow at lower elevations. It's not quite survival skiing, but close. Protected from the wind and true north facing aspects may still hold soft snow, but that is mostly a thing of the past. Enjoy this weekend's blast of wintry weather because the first day of Spring is March 19th and the latter half of the month looks dry and mild.  Don't forget, daylight savings begins tomorrow.It's been a sad week in the avalanche world. We lost two professional avalanche forecasters, Nick Burks of the Wallowa Avalanche Center to an avalanche, and Matt Primomo of the Northwest Avalanche Center to a non-avalanche accident. Two additional avalanche accidents occurred outside the state, involving the public. Reports are available here. Please take care of each other, don't be complacent, slow down, check your systems and most importantly, love one and other, each and every day.

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