Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

The avalanche danger will increase throughout the day as the forecast area receives one to two feet of new, high-density snow. You could trigger an avalanche on slopes in near and above treeline elevations where the wind is transporting snow into drifts on leeward aspects. Avoid travel on wind loaded terrain steeper than 30° and take note of where blowing snow is accumulating.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    South, southwest wind will blow moderate to extreme today. We're entering a storm cycle that has the potential to bring up to two feet of fresh snow in the next 24 hours. These two factors combined will create wind slabs several feet deep on leeward W-NW-N-NE-E aspects. It will be possible to find this problem near and above the treeline, though there may be a higher likelihood of encountering a wind slab near treeline due to more ideal wind speeds for formation. Avoid wind slabs by travelling in areas that are sheltered or wind-scoured. As always, observe for red flags: cracking, collapsing, blowing snow, recent avalanches, and hollow drum-like sounds. 

    Visual depiction of wind loading and cross-loading dynamics

    Photo: Illustration from Allen & Mike’s Avalanche Book by Allen O’Bannon and Mike Clelland (Falcon Guides).

Avalanche Discussion

We hope you enjoyed the brief break from the onslaught of winter storms this week because now we're rolling back into an active weather pattern that will refresh our wind-whipped and sun-cooked snow surfaces. The National Weather Service is calling for one to two feet of new snow in the mountains in the next 24 hours with more on the way. The avalanche danger will start off low today and increase as the storm bears down. With that in mind, be prepared to adapt to rapidly changing conditions in the backcountry for this classic wet and wild Mount Shasta day. 

Regions covered