Mount Shasta

Low avalanche danger and slick, slide-for-life snow surfaces will persist for one more day. Full winter conditions return tomorrow. New snow will accumulate quickly on firm, icy surfaces and weak, sugary snow layers. As snowfall intensifies Friday and into the weekend, a widespread avalanche cycle is possible. 

If you've grown complacent with 25 days of low danger, soon it will be time to stay alert and re-evaluate conditions. Always check the forecast, pay attention to red flags of avalanche danger and let us know what you're seeing out there.

Wax'em and gas'em, nobody rides for free. Winter is back, baby. Leading the discussion, near surface, faceted (sugary) snow exists in many areas across the forecast area, primarily near treeline, above 6,000 feet. This sugary snow near the surface of the snowpack is structurally weak, and will not support a heavy load of snow. Further, above treeline, slick and icy surfaces also exist. Firm snow surfaces will provide an excellent bed surface for slab avalanches. With feet of fresh snow in the forecast, we are anticipating significant avalanche risk in the coming days. Avalanches may occur in areas not expected.  The low danger message fatigue is coming to a close, and you need to pull vigilance back out of your pocket. 

The Everitt Memorial Highway is open / Castle Lake road is closed / Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park is open / Nordic Center and MS Ski Park are open

Dive in here for yesterday's Gray Rock Lakes area observation and California state snow survey data collection report