Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Large human-triggered avalanches are possible, especially in wind-drifted areas. Carefully evaluate the snowpack and consider the consequences before committing to avalanche terrain. Watch for wet and dry loose instabilities on steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    About two feet of recent snow covers much of the forecast area. A foot of low-density new snow has accumulated within the past 72 hours. Instabilities are possible within the new and recent snow across all aspects and elevations, but wind-drifted slopes are the most suspect. Today, strong northwest through southwest winds near and above treeline, combined with plentiful low-density snow available for transport, may form new, sensitive slabs on leeward terrain features.

    Slabs are most likely to fail on density changes near the top of the snowpack. However, the potential remains for slabs to release on deeper buried weak layers, including a widespread graupel layer at the base of the recent snow. Small, loose sluffs of unconsolidated dry snow in steep terrain are also not out of the question today with continued cold temperatures. 

    Steep slopes should be approached with caution. Use test slopes to evaluate the snowpack before traveling in steep terrain. Watch for blowing snow and fresh cornices to alert you to recently wind-drifted areas, and consider avoiding these slopes. Shooting cracks under your skis or machine are a clear sign of unstable snow. 

    (2/17/2026)

    Human-triggered shooting crack and small storm slab. Gray Butte, east aspect, 7,800 feet, 40-degree slope.

    Photo: Christian Jordan

  • Loose Wet

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

    Snow surfaces on steep (>35 degrees) slopes may begin to lose cohesion as the February California sun warms snow surfaces today, especially under rocky terrain features. While increasing clouds this afternoon should limit the development of this problem, cold, dry snow can be susceptible to subtle changes in solar input. Even small wet loose slides can carry you into undesirable terrain like cliffs and gullies. If you observe signs that the snow surface is losing cohesion, such as fresh rollerballs, move to mellower or shadier slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

In the past seven days, the Old Ski Bowl weather station has received about 27 inches of snow (2.5" SWE), Castle Lake 18 inches, and Mount Eddy 20 inches. Observers have reported numerous natural slab and loose avalanches. Weak layers in the snowpack include widespread graupel and faceted snow on the north half of the compass, sometimes beneath a crust. With additional loading, especially this weekend, the strength of these layers may be tested. Visit the observations page for more details.

Snow depths remain shallow on the west side of the forecast area. Visible and shallowly buried obstacles are abundant, as are open streams. Ski and ride with caution. 

Events this weekend:

We hope to see you there!

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