Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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

Highlights

Overall, conditions should be generally stable today. However, with a full day of sunshine, be mindful of wet snow avalanches. Additionally, wind slabs large enough to bury a person may still persist in steep terrain. As always, watch for red flags of avalanche danger, and if you observe any, consider retreating to more conservative terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The timing, likelihood and size of wet snow avalanches can be tricky. Temperatures will stay seasonably cool today, but that sun will be shining in full force. Any chance the sun has to warm the snow surface could lead to rapid warming. Look for signs of snow surface warming. The most obvious clue is roller balls. Keep in mind that the sun angle is high enough to potentially impact northerly facing slopes. Consider moving to lower angle slopes if roller balls or pinwheels are present.

    (3/18/2025)

    Roller balls on a sunlit slope. An indicator of rising wet loose instability

    Photo: Cory Beattie

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Unstable wind slabs could still linger in extreme terrain. Yesterday provided overcast skies and cool temps, which may have slowed the stabilization process. Any periods of rapid warming today could make it easier to trigger a wind slab. Recent avalanche(s), test slope failures and snow surface cracking may indicate unstable slabs. Identify areas where wind drifted snow has accumulated. These are often locations such as below or adjacent to cornice features, gullies or below moraine convexities. Once areas of concern are identified, move around them with caution.

    Photo: Nick Meyers

    Steep, extreme terrain like this with rock outcrops, gullies and ridgelines may still harbor pockets of unstable wind slabs

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices lace near and above treeline ridges throughout the forecast area. As temperatures warm, it's only a matter of time before these crumble. Be cautious of overhead hazard when traveling below cornices. If you're on a ridge, stay back from the edge and identify terra firm by looking for trees or rocks. Give yourself a wide buffer.

Avalanche Discussion

Be mindful of wet loose instability as the spring sunshine intensifies. If you're tackling steep and challenging terrain, also watch for lingering pockets of wind-loaded snow and unstable cornices. Overall, the snowpack is settling quickly, and avalanche concerns are decreasing.  

Our weather stations are all currently down. We are unsure of the problem this morning but working to get them back online. Thank you for understanding.

The Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake roads remain closed. The Siskiyou County Road Department currently lacks a functioning snow blower and is awaiting new equipment. Snow removal will begin as soon as possible, hopefully within the next two weeks. For those hoping to climb, one can approach from McBride Springs. This adds approximately 2.5-3 miles to your adventure and requires route-finding. Carry navigation tools.

Regions covered