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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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Be cautious of areas with previously wind-drifted snow and active blowing snow near and above treeline. Northwest wind is transporting new dry snow into drifts on leeward, NE-E-SE-S-SW aspects. Travel on wind scoured surfaces and watch for shooting cracks/collapsing in the snowpack to avoid getting caught in an avalanche today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall, sustained cold temperatures, and a lack of sunshine leaves us with plenty of dry snow available for wind transport. Below and near treeline elevations have received light westerly wind that has moved little to no snow onto leeward aspects. You are most likely to encounter wind slabs above and at the upper end of near treeline terrain where wind may reach moderate wind speeds. Look out for blowing snow, wind-drifted areas, and obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks or whumpfing sounds.  

Avalanche Discussion

Thanks to cold temperatures and mostly cloudy skies, snow surfaces have remained dry and soft. On southerly aspects below treeline, you'll feel a crust beneath the new snow of the last 48 hours. Near and above treeline, it is, as they say, blower. The Everitt Memorial Highway on Mount Shasta and the road to Castle Lake in the southern Eddy Mountains are still closed for snow removal, though should open by the end of the day.

Poor visibility and road closures have limited our ability to observe near and above treeline zones to the fullest extent. Across the forecast area, we have observed a snowpack below treeline that is inverted or "upside down". This will feel like it is supportable under your skis or sled with light throttle, but as soon as you get your boots on it, you'll sink to your knees or beyond. Yesterday, near treeline snow profiles at 8,000 feet on Gray Butte presented two stubborn weak layers in the top two feet of snow. Except for this, the snowpack is accommodating the new snow load at this elevation and presumably above. As you gain elevation, you can easily evaluate the snow structure by quickly jumping off your machine or skis to check if you're sinking through firm snow above to softer snow below. 

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