Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches of consequence are unlikely, and the danger is low today. Approximately a half inch of precipitation will sprinkle the area with snow and rain over the next couple days. Use mild caution in steeper terrain near and above treeline, where new snow may drift into small wind slabs. Wind will blow out of the S/SW/W/NW.

Be aware of other hazards like falling rock, icy slopes, whiteout conditions, thin lake ice and earthly obstacles.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    If snow forecasts verify, we could see several inches of new snow on the mountain, paired up with south, west and north wind. Any new snow will likely blow around and fresh wind slabs could develop. Wind slabs are not likely to be large enough to cause major trouble, but none-the-less, keep it in mind if shredding about. If wind speeds are high enough, it's often the case that the new snow becomes completely stripped off slopes and deposited into low angle gullies and bowls.

Avalanche Discussion

Here is the latest tally of snowpack conditions from March snow surverys.

Station Name 2022 Snow Depth (in) 2021 Snow Depth (in) 2022 SWE (in) 2021 SWE (in) 2022 % of Normal Depth * 2022 % of Normal SWE * Sweetwater (#3) 21.5 43.5 5.5 12 51.2 43.8 Deadfall Lakes (#9) 27 45.5 11.5 19 39 45.4 Mount Shasta (#18) 31 61 9 23 30.2 21.5 Sand Flat (#19) 26.5 63 9.5 24 28.8 27.2

* The NWS definition of normal is the average of a parameter over a 30-year period. The last official period was 1991-2020. Calculations are based off of historical data found on the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)

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