Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Significant recent snowfall, combined with strong southwesterly winds, has formed isolated wind slabs. You will encounter stubborn slabs on leeward easterly slopes. In extreme terrain, triggering and getting caught could carry you over early season hazards. Avoid this problem by sticking to wind scoured surfaces and watch for signs of instability: blowing snow, shooting cracks and collapsing. We expect an additional wave of snow and wind today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the past 24 hours, we have received 8 inches of new snow. Wind has been blowing primarily out of the S-SW, averaging 16 mph with gusts to 36+ mph. The wind slab problem is most prevalent near and above treeline where consistent panels of snow are forming.

    We do not expect large avalanches today. Wind slabs form in specific terrain and may be difficult to locate.

    Pay attention to leeward easterly slopes where wind blown snow is accumulating and express heightened caution in extreme terrain where you are more likely to encounter slabs that could carry you over early season hazards.

    Active wind loading, shooting cracks and collapsing are indicators of instability to watch for throughout the day.

    Cracking in wind drift atop a ridge

    Photo: Eric Falconer

Avalanche Discussion

While wind slabs are the avalanche problem to watch for today, the number one hazard remains to be early season conditions.

Our shallow snowpack is growing as we speak. See images from yesterday on Gray Butte where we observed snowfall rates of 2 inches an hour rapidly burying hazards. Snow depths ranged from ground to 2 feet deep in isolated drifts.

There are numerous rocks and trees lurking just below the surface. Keep this in mind and note shallow areas that could bite you on the way down.

Regions covered