Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop today and into tomorrow. Heavy snowfall and strong winds will create dense storm slabs on all aspects and elevations, especially in leeward terrain where wind will redistribute the storm snow into deeper slabs. Pay attention to how well the new snow is bonding to the old snow surface and to density changes within the new snow. If uncertain about snow stability, stick to slopes below treeline of less than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    To learn what a storm slab is, click on the graphic above. Snowfall will increase this morning and throughout the day and avalanche danger will peak this afternoon/evening. Temperatures will rise throughout the day and the deposited storm snow may be upside down in density, potentially leading to greater instability. Strong S-SW winds will create deeper slabs on leeward terrain, potentially far below ridgelines and especially on NW-N-NE-E aspects. Above treeline, especially on Mount Shasta, local winds vary in direction due to terrain influences, and deeper wind-drifted snow might be found on any aspect. 

    Cracking and shooting cracks in the snow are signs of unstable storm slabs. Use small "test slopes" to stomp on as you travel through terrain to look for storm snow instability. Look for evidence of wind-drifted pillows of deeper snow and avoid places where they exist on terrain steeper than 35 degrees. Natural avalanches are possible, especially above treeline. Travel in the alpine today is not recommended due to widespread blowing snow, whiteout conditions, extreme wind, and avalanche potential.

Avalanche Discussion

December was an active weather month for Mount Shasta and the surrounding mountains. A barrage of storms deposited several feet of snow to the area with sustained cold temperatures. A freezing fog event on 12/28 deposited a rime crust of varying thickness on most aspects and elevations. Strong NW winds on 12/30 and 12/31 created variable surface conditions near and above treeline and formed wind slabs. Some small natural avalanche activity occured during this wind event. Warm temperatures on 1/1 settled out and bonded these wind slabs and wetted the snow surface below treeline and on sunny aspects. Very few avalanches have been observed so far this season in the Mount Shasta forecast area. The snowpack is generally well-bonded, right side up, and absent of weak layers at this time. The current storm may produce a natural avalanche cycle, especially if temperatures warm and if rain follows the heavy snowfall.

------------------------

A friendly reminder that DOGS are NOT ALLOWED within the Mt. Shasta Wilderness area or Sierra Club Foundation lands. Places OK to take your dog include: Old Ski Bowl, any of the sno-parks, Castle Lake and anywhere else on national forest land, just not in the MS Wilderness area. Thank you.

Pilgrim Creek & Deer Mountain Sno-Parks are in great shape for snowmobiling and/or cross-country skiing. The bathrooms and warming huts are open, parking is easy and plentiful. Remember to take the Esperanza road to access Pilgrim Creek. Many trails within the Tri-Forest system have been groomed. It's cold and the trails are in awesome shape. Let the fun run wild.

Sand Flat Winter Cross-Country ski/snowshoe trails are in good shape. Enjoy the quiet splendor of Mt. Shasta on miles of un-groomed, classic cross-country ski trails. Snowshoe users, be sure to maintain a different track. Please do not walk in the ski track and alternatively, skiers, please don't ski in the snowshoe track.

Regions covered