Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today, the finishing touch to commence on a weather pattern masterpiece that has been in place for weeks on end.  A few inches of lower density snow will top off our 13 feet of snow on the ground, paired with more south wind. Temperatures are cooler. Deep snow conditions exist. Best practice today...continue to tread lightly out there. Your primary hazard will be in terrain steeper than 37 degrees, wind affected, near and above treeline. While our snowpack tends to stabilize quickly, we've received a ton of rapidly accumulating new snow and wind in recent days. Wind slabs and cornices are large and may still be touchy. Look for the five red flags of avalanche danger at all times. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the past three days, the wind has blow predominantly out of the south and southeast, averaging 13 mi/hr with gusts to 42 mi/hr at 8,000 feet on Mount Shasta. Ideal for wind loading. Cornices and wind drifts are large and were touchy yesterday. Primary concern for this avalanche problem is along ridges, bowls and in steep, extreme terrain. Continue to give these giants some space to settle. Slopes west through east on the top half of the compass are most heavily wind loaded. A human triggered wind slab or cornice is likely today, especially above treeline. Recent avalanches, blowing snow, wind pillows and snow surface clues will all indicate the presence of wind slabs. Signs of wind loading will be obvious.

Avalanche Discussion

One more small storm today, a cool little topper, and then a pattern change. Avalanche risk has crested, and we are on the downward sloping danger curve. Continue to keep it tight out there. Pay close attention to red flags of avalanche danger. Dig a pit, check out those snow layers. Use snowpack tests to conclude a slope is unstable. Do not use them alone to conclude a slope is stable. If you have an understanding of the state of the snowpack drawn from the avalanche forecast and combine with other in the field observations, snowpack tests can be an excellent tool for identifying and understanding instabilities.  All told, always remember, when the snowpack is in question, terrain is the answer...if you're not in avalanche terrain, you can't get caught in an avalanche! 

DEEP SNOW CONDITIONS: Yesterday, it was waist to chest deep above 7,000 feet. Tree wells are huge. Don't get casual day syndrome. Make sure your skills match the conditions. It's the real deal out there. Be prepared.

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ROAD & RECREATION SITE STATUS: 

  • The Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake road are CLOSED (Snowmobile access up Everitt Memorial Highway is not possible. Best access is Pilgrim Creek or Deer Mtn Sno-Parks)
  • Pilgrim Creek and Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park's are OPEN
  • Mt Shasta Ski Park - OPEN
  • Sand Flat Winter Trails - CLOSED
  • Nordic Center - Call 530-925-3494 for the latest update.

Regions covered