Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

You are unlikely to trigger an avalanche today. Exercise normal caution in the backcountry while being on the lookout for isolated areas of instability. Pay attention to warming of the snow surface, demonstrated by roller balls or pinwheels, and for instability in wind-drifted snow marked by shooting cracks or collapsing. Avalanche danger will rise rapidly after midnight tonight as heavy snowfall and strong winds impact the forecast area.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    In the last 72 hours, up to 6 inches of new snow accumulated above 7,000 feet accompanied by moderate to strong W-NW wind that transported snow onto leeward, NE-E-SE aspects. The wind eased up yesterday and above freezing temperatures secured any remaining snow available for transport. Although the sensitivity of this problem is on the decline, you may still trigger an avalanche.

    Manage your exposure to wind slabs by watching for signs of instability (shooting cracks, collapsing) on leeward aspects and in steep couloirs, near cliff bands, or slope convexities. 

    Shooting cracks in wind-drifted snow

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    With a light re-freeze last night and above freezing temperatures forecast for today, it is possible that there is lingering free water in the surface snow. This means there is still a chance for wet loose avalanches on solar aspects, even if there are clouds in the sky. Observe indicators of surface instability like roller balls or pinwheels and avoiding steep areas above terrain traps.

    Wet loose activity on a surface that received sun and became moist and unstable

Avalanche Discussion

There is a big storm coming. Expect weather and avalanche conditions to change rapidly this evening, especially after midnight when abundant snowfall and intense wind will load the snowpack far quicker than it can adapt to the new weight.

We are continuing to track the interface between the December 18th and December 30th crusts. It is present on most elevations and aspects of Mount Shasta, approximately 50-100 cm down from the surface. If you're seeing reactivity within this layer during your stability tests, please share your findings with us by submitting an observation. 

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