Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Overnight, nine inches of new snow fell near treeline on Mount Shasta, with light wind blowing out of the S-SE. Wind drifted snow along ridges, near cliffs and in steep couloirs is possible. Maintain vigilance if traveling in steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Last night, light southerly wind may have created small drifts and slabs near and above treeline. Any instability will lie within new snow. Watch out for steep terrain where wind loading is evident.   Wind slabs can range from soft to hard, thin to thick, and are often smooth, rounded and sometimes sound hollow. Blowing snow and cracking or collapsing in drifted snow are clear warning signs of the problem. Avoid by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas.

    (12/2/2023)

    Example photo of a wind slab cracking.

    Photo: Samuel Clairmont

Avalanche Discussion

Overall, the wet nature of things will keep the snowpack locked up, and I surmise that the new snow glued onto the old, very well. Yesterday, rain on snow occurred for most of the daylight hours. It was your classic, nasty, Shasta day: wind, rain, fog, sleet, poor visibility...soaked! Snow levels were 9,000 feet or higher. A lot of drops missed out on being flakes. It wasn't until 1800 hours that rain transitioned to snow. The following six-hour period, wet snow fell onto a rain soaked snowpack. Low temps reached 27 deg F. Additional wind and precipitation will not be a major factor today; expect mild, wintry weather to fade.

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