Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Avalanches are unlikely in most of the forecast area today. All told, don't discount the potential to trigger an avalanche on isolated terrain features in steep, extreme terrain hosting drifted, wind blown snow. A warm storm will bring modest amounts of precipitation and increasing westerly wind this evening. Snow levels will linger near 8,000 to 9,000 feet for the forecast period. Evaluate the snow and terrain as you move. Expose only one person at a time on steep slopes. Always use safe backcountry travel practices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs and drifts have bonded well to the older snowpack, making avalanches unlikely. Warm temperatures will continue to strengthen the snowpack, and triggering an avalanche will be difficult. However, fresh snow remains available for transport when winds increase out of the southwest tonight. Fresh slabs may be present tomorrow morning near and above treeline.

    Although signs of instability will be minimal today, the risk is not zero. Isolated wind slabs could persist in steep alpine terrain, exposed cliffs, or unsupported hanging snowfields, where avalanches can have serious consequences.

    Watch for signs of wind-blown snow, such as cornices, drifts, or textured surfaces. Cracking or hollow-sounding snow suggests instability. If you notice these conditions, move to a safer area. Softer, smoother snow is often found in wind-sheltered, low-lying terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

The warm conditions over the next few days will continue to stabilize the snow below and near treeline. However, we’ve kept the avalanche danger moderate above treeline due to increasing southwesterly winds and new snow available for transport. Be especially cautious as you move into higher alpine terrain. Don’t underestimate the wind’s ability to quickly move snow and create unstable conditions.New Year's Day on our beloved Mountain Shasta brought light precipitation and an obscured sky. We picked our way along a stringer of trees above treeline on southerly and easterly aspects to 8,900 feet before visibility was near zero. Surfaces are a mix of soft snow of variable depths, along with a smorgasbord of wind effected snow. Westerly wind has been predominant. Avalanche danger was hard to come by, but extreme terrain could still hold isolated hanging drifts and large cornices. Best sliding surfaces are near treeline in protected areas. Continue to watch out for icy surfaces in exposed, above treeline terrain. The warm temperatures over the next 24 hours could give the mountain the classic donut glaze affect.The Everitt Memorial Highway is open. Castle Lake road is still closed. Across the land, Old Ski Bowl is hosting 91 inches of snow, while on the west side at Castle Lake and Mt Eddy, both sensors reporting 65 inches of snow on the ground.

Regions covered