Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Above 9,000 feet, where snow is cold and dry, there is a slight chance of triggering a wind slab avalanche in very steep terrain. Travel carefully at the upper elevations. Assess slopes carefully, looking for signs of instability such as shooting cracks, small failing test slopes, and previous avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The continued warm and sunny weather has allowed the snowpack to stabilize, and develop a surface crust on all but the most shaded aspects. Due to the lower elevation surface crust, wind slab will only be a problem at the highest elevations, where snow is still cold, dry, and available for transport. Expect the problem to be stubborn, but possible if triggered in the right spot. Look for this problem on south-east-north aspects. Approach wind loaded slopes with caution. Look for signs such as shooting cracks, and previous wind slab avalanches.

    (1/6/2024)

    Wind slab below treeline

    Photo: Samuel Clairmont

  • Loose Wet

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

    Yesterday's warm temperatures allowed for wet loose avalanches to occur on solar aspects below, and near treeline. Today, freezing levels will rise, once again, to 7,600 feet. Warming temperatures will surely loosen the surface snow and allow for small point release, wet loose avalanches to occur. These are most likely to happen under rock outcroppings, and on slopes that receive all day sun. Though relatively small, these avalanches have the potential to take you off your feet and push you over rocks. As the day warms, remain vigilant on solar aspects. Perform ski cuts on small, inconsequential slopes to test for instability. Pinwheels, roller balls, increasingly deep boot penetration are all signs that the surface snow is destabilizing. 

    (12/30/2023)

    Wet Loose Avalanche (12.30.23)

    Photo: Samuel Clairmont

Avalanche Discussion

Forecasters visited Old Ski Bowl and Gray Butte yesterday. A surface crust has developed on all solar aspects below and near treeline. Surprisingly, the snow is still cold, and dry in shaded terrain. Check out the observation HERE.

The Castle Lake road is still closed. Hopefully, this will change in the next 24 hours.

Snowmobilers: Know your riding boundaries. Patrols are active and citations being issued. Ignorance is not an excuse for the law. Maps are available here and at major trailheads. Bunny Flat has been busy. It's a multi-use trailhead. Give respect to all users. Motorized users park below the restroom facility, please.

Climbers. Here are some hazards to consider on the upper mountain:

  • Ice fall. The upper mountain is holding rime ice on most cliff bands, including the Red Banks. As temperatures rise, ice will begin to shed, releasing large chunks onto the slopes below. Keep your eye out, and move through exposed areas quickly. A helmet will greatly help with this hazard. 
  • Wind slab. There is a chance of finding unstable wind drifted snow on steep terrain of the upper mountain. These slabs have the potential to take you off your feet and drag you over consequential terrain. Assess slopes cautiously before committing to them. 
  • High wind/cold temperatures. The summit plateau can be a brutally cold place in the winter months. Though forecasts may show reasonable temperatures at 14,000 feet, it will certainly be colder than you think. Bring the proper equipment for these conditions. 

Regions covered