Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Incoming weather will bring some new snow and moderate winds to the region. Small, shallow wind slab avalanches are possible above treeline on N-NE-E-SE aspects. Safest locations from wind slabs and the weather will be sheltered locations near and below treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Small, shallow wind slabs are possible above treeline . Winds today could easily create specific pockets of wind-deposited snow if new snow totals manifest as forecasted. These specific pockets will most likely be found on steep N-NE-E-SE aspects below ridgelines, leeward sides of convex rolls, and shallow depressions. Remember that wind can easily transport and deposit up to 10 times the amount from snowfall. Wind slabs should be isolated to the above treeline zone as near and below treeline winds and new snow totals are forecasted to be light.

Avalanche Discussion

The weather forecast today and tonight is giving us the recipe for wind slabs: one part each of new snow, moderate-to-strong winds, and high relative humidity. However, with the probability of new snow at 60-70% and forecasted to be modest--only 3 to 5 inches at 10,000 feet--any winds slabs would be small and not widespread. Additionally, the existing well-consolidated snowpack will provide a nice stable base for any new snow. The freezing level is forecasted to gradually rise over the next 48 hours to 6,000 feet or higher. This will likely make any new snow near and below treeline quite dense and easily stick to the existing snowpack. There is the possibility of rain or sleet below treeline. All of these factors will restrict any wind slab avalanche concerns to the above treeline zones.

Snowmobiling on Mount Shasta: For motorized use via Bunny Flat, please park BELOW the restroom facility and launch from the designated ramp. Boundary markers (orange poles) are up along the Everitt Memorial Highway (EMH) and east Wilderness boundary in the Old Ski Bowl. Snowmobiles are prohibited above (north side) the EMH for 1.25 miles past Bunny Flat and anywhere in the Mount Shasta Wilderness. Know your boundaries. Citations will be issued for all violators. Check out this map!

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