Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Extreme wind and feet of heavy snow from an approaching storm will drastically increase the risk of avalanches this evening and early tomorrow morning. You could trigger a wind slab avalanche deep enough to bury you on all aspects above treeline and on northwest, north, northeast, east, and southeast near treeline. Identify wind slabs by listening for collapsing and hollow, drum-like snow; watch for shooting cracks and travel one person at a time where slope angles are 30° or greater.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    High snow levels and freezing fog have dampened and encrusted snow surfaces, locking up any snow available for transport in near treeline elevations.

    During the daylight hours today, near treeline wind slab avalanche danger will be LOW and it is unlikely that you will trigger an avalanche. However, conditions will change rapidly this evening as extreme southwest wind and intense snowfall hammer down on Mount Shasta. This will cause avalanche danger to rise to MODERATE near treeline.

    Above the treeline, there is still soft snow ready to be sculpted by the wind. Additional loading by heavy snow and extreme wind tonight will cause the avalanche danger to spike to CONSIDERABLE. 

    For both near and above treeline elevations, you will be most likely to find wind slabs on NW, N, NE, and E aspects. Though, above the treeline, there has been variability in the wind direction and any brief period of wind shift has created the potential to find wind slabs on all aspects of the compass.

    If you'll be above treeline today or in the backcountry overnight, you could trigger an avalanche large enough to bury you. Wind slabs appear as lens-shaped pillows that are deeper than the surrounding snowpack. If you're on a wind slab, it may feel denser than surrounding snow and have a hollow, drum-like sound to it. If you observe any collapsing or shooting cracks, you have found unstable snow and should reevaluate your surroundings. Keeping your awareness elevated for the aforementioned and traveling one at a time through avalanche terrain will help you mitigate your exposure to risk in the backcountry.

Avalanche Discussion

For most of the day, avalanche danger will be much like yesterday, but the incoming storm system this evening will cause the avalanche danger to escalate quickly. Today is a good day to get out of the backcountry early and rest up for tomorrow's powder. Now that the Everitt Memorial Highway is OPEN to Bunny Flat, above treeline elevations are much more accessible. While this is exciting, this is where you will be most likely to trigger an avalanche. As you travel, assess all aspects for indicators of wind slabs by watching for where blowing snow accumulates and paying attention to signs of unstable snow.

Regions covered