A weak weather disturbance will enter the region today. This system will bring strong, gusty wind and a pittance of precipitation. Small, shallow drifts of wind blown snow will form on leeward ridges and bowls above treeline over the next 24 hours.
Westerly wind and a few inches of new snow is in the forecast over the next 24 hours. Areas of wind drifted snow on N-NE-E-SE-S facing slopes is likely. Drifts will be small to medium-sized. Work to build and maintain good backcountry travel habits. Pay attention to changing conditions and any signs of isolated instability.
It seems like Mr. Grinch got his grubby hands in Mother Nature's weather mix for the holiday. Our strong and stable snowpack has been ravaged by warm temps and wind recently. These dirty words are expected to continue into the Christmas weekend. We have not observed any recent avalanches or legit signs of avalanche danger since December 11th. Snow depths average ~50 inches near treeline on Mount Shasta and east of the mountain (Ash Creek Butte), and ~35 inches on the west side of Interstate 5, near Castle Lake and Eddy Mountains.
Snowmobiling on Mount Shasta: For motorized use via Bunny Flat, please park BELOW the restroom facility and launch from the designated ramp. Boundary markers (orange poles) are up along the Everitt Memorial Highway (EMH), and the east Wilderness boundary in the Old Ski Bowl. Snowmobiles are prohibited above the EMH (north side) for 1.25 miles past Bunny Flat, and anywhere else in the Mount Shasta Wilderness. Know your boundaries. Patrollers are active. Citations will be issued for all violators. Check out this map!
