Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Most snow should remain in place today, but that intense April sun will be out in full, and is likely to create favorable conditions for wet snow avalanches on sun-exposed slopes. Stay alert for signs of instability and navigate suspect terrain with caution.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Predicting the timing, likelihood, and size of wet snow avalanches is tricky. With warmer temperatures than yesterday and strong April sun, any surface warming could happen quickly. Watch for roller balls, a key sign of instability, and remember that the high sun angle may affect northerly slopes. If roller balls or pinwheels appear, consider switching to lower-angle terrain. While large wet slab avalanches are unlikely, they remain possible on very warm days—like the recent Powder Bowl slide, which served as a reminder.

    Example of wet loose avalanches. This problem can range from completely harmless to large and consequential depending on terrain and size. Don't ignore early warning signs like roller balls and pinwheels!

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Cornices lace near and above treeline ridges throughout the forecast area. As temperatures warm, it's only a matter of time before these crumble. Be cautious of overhead hazard when traveling below cornices. If you're on a ridge, stay back from the edge and identify terra firm by looking for trees or rocks. Give yourself a wide buffer.

Avalanche Discussion

Winter is winding down. Our last forecast of the season will be on April 13th. Spring is springin', birds chirpin', grass growin'...but there is still ample snow in the mountains. We anticipate a robust spring ski season on Mount Shasta as soon as that pesky road opens. Access has been difficult for most, but if you do find yourself somewhere in the winter backcountry, snow should be holding in place for the most part. Springtime weather and avalanche problems can be widely variable. Keep it pro by continuing to carry a beacon, shovel and probe, and stay vigilant to those wet loose and cornice avalanche problems. That April sun is intense! With a little bit of forethought, heat related avalanche problems are easy to avoid. Steep, extreme terrain is where you are most likely to find unstable snow. 

We have received no new snow since April 1st. Snow on the ground measures 170–180 inches at 8,000 feet on the mountain. Over the past 24 hours, temperatures have ranged from 16 to 27 deg F. The wind has blown light to moderate out of the northeast. The snowpack is settling nicely and a melt/freeze cycle is just starting to cook up some of Mount Shasta's grade A corn.

We just finished a round of April snow survey courses for the state of California. Snowpack data to come. As of last month, the Shasta, Trinity and McCloud watersheds were just above normal. This is a very cool program that USFS forecasters and fire personnel take part in. Learn more here!

Climbing season is just around the corner. We're starting to receive numerous calls and emails about conditions. The short of it: climbing conditions are looking good! For ridge routes, climb them sooner than later. For all other routes, April, May and June is prime-time. July always marks the hump of the season, and conditions deteriorate quickly after that. Stay tuned to the website. Even though daily avalanche forecasts will cease on April 13th, we will continue with updating our climbing advisory, as well as recent observations of climbing routes. Currently, one must start their climb from McBridge Springs. From McBride Springs to Horse Camp is approximately 3 miles, and ascends from 5,500 feet to 7,900 feet. Comparatively, Bunny Flat to Horse Camp is 1.7 miles and ascends from 6,900 feet to 7,900 feet. You can do the math! As always, bring navigation tools and your route finding skills...it's not difficult, but still important. About 700 vert is sans snow starting out of McBride.

Our weather stations are all currently down. We are unsure of the problem, but working to get them back online. Thank you for understanding. The Pacific Power weather station next to ours in the Old Ski Bowl at 7,800 feet is still online and can be accessed via our weather tab, or here.

The Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake roads remain closed. The Siskiyou County Road Department currently lacks a functioning snow blower and is awaiting new equipment. Snow removal will begin as soon as possible, hopefully within the next two weeks.

The Ego says, "Once everything falls into place, I'll find peace"... but the Spirit says, "Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place"... Have a great day and keep it pro out there, gang.

Regions covered