Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A modest cold front will impact the area over the next 24 hours. Strong, southerly wind will develop late this morning ahead of another round of precipitation brewing for the afternoon and evening.  You know the drill...fresh snow and strong wind will maintain heightened avalanche risk. Steep terrain near ridges and bowls will be most suspect. It's that time of year when you might ask, is it spring, or is it winter? The weather can change quickly, and it's no time to let your guard down. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    Cornices lurk, and wind slabs linger. Increasing wind and fresh snow will keep the wind slab problem on the docket. Slopes below or adjacet to cornice features as well as wind exposed terrain remain suspect. In previously wind loaded terrain, slabs are large and thick, though the liklihood of triggering these aging slabs is decreasing; however, new snow and increasing wind will build fresh slabs. This could increase sensitivity of older slabs by adding load. 

    Wind is the architect of avalanches. Gather information from small test slopes before committing to exposed terrain. Use clues such as cornices, wind drifts, snow surface texture, and snow surface cracking to identify slopes of concern.Move around these areas with caution. Opting for wind sheltered terrain below treeline reduces the risk of encountering this avalanche problem today.

    Photo: Nick Meyers

  • Storm Slabs

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

    This avalanche problem is up as a precautionary measure. Storm slabs are unlikely during daylight hours, but by tomorrow morning, they could become a concern. If new snow accumulations reach forecasted totals, we could see 6 to 10 inches of fresh snow. Storm slabs occur when soft, cohesive snow releases either within the new storm snow or on the old snow surface. These problems typically last a few hours. To reduce risk, avoid steep avalanche terrain for a day or two after a storm, and use small test slopes to gauge the danger.

Avalanche Discussion

In the past 24 hours, we've received no new snow. Temperatures have ranged from 12 to 34 F near treeline. Wind has been westerly and light, averaging 5 mi/hr with gusts to 10. Two recent wind slab avalanches have been observed west of the Interstate in the Eddy Mountains, otherwise, things have been pretty quiet and the snowpack has settled nicely. Snow surfaces were smooth and soft as of yesterday, but a full day of sun has likely created a few sun crusts on those warmer aspects. Colder, shaded northerly aspects should still hold some good snow. Monster cornices lace ridgelines. As mom always screamed, "Stay back from the edge, junior!"

The Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake roads are closed.

Regions covered