Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Heightened avalanche danger exists on all elevations, where a combination of human-triggered wet loose and wind slab avalanches are possible. Surface snow across W-SW-S-SE-E aspects may become reactive due to prolonged solar heating. As the day warms up, assess steep terrain carefully for roller balls, point-release wet loose avalanches, and failing test slopes. To avoid the warming instability, exit steep terrain early in the day before peak temperatures. Lingering wind slabs are possible above treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will continue to be possible today, as temperatures climb higher, and wind remains light. Expect to find this issue below and near treeline, on W-SW-S-SE-E aspects. Yesterday, observations from Shastarama, Ash Creek Butte, and Old Ski Bowl all found some form of wet loose avalanche activity. Today will be more of the same. Wet loose instability will rise through the day, reaching its peak in the late afternoon, where human-triggered slides are possible. Though these avalanches are expected to be small, they can surely push someone off their feet into hazardous terrain. For early indicators, look for warming instability in steep terrain, on exposed solar slopes, and around rock bands. To avoid this issue, start your day early this morning, and exit avalanche terrain before the late afternoon.

    (3/7/2025)

    A very small skier triggered wet loose avalanche on a southerly aspect near 7,500 feet

    Photo: Cory Beattie

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the next 24 hours, wind slab avalanches will be possible above treeline, on any aspect. Today, the previous northerly wind direction will shift southerly. Speeds will remain mostly light (1-16 MPH), with moderate (17-25 MPH) gusts above treeline. Yesterdays 9,300 foot freezing level has dampened the snow near and below treeline, limiting the amount of soft snow available for wind transport. Above treeline, however, soft snow is still available, keeping the wind slab problem alive. Above treeline, focused assessment should be on the Red Banks, Trinity Chutes, Casaval Ridge, and Sargents/Green Butte Ridge, where large wind slabs could grow. While assessing slopes, look for shooting cracks, lens shaped surface snow, and unusually deep snow conditions as indicators of wind loading. Using small test slopes with a similar aspect is also a good way to identify larger scale instability. 

    (3/6/2025)

    Clear skies above treeline on Mount Shasta. Northerly wind can be seen blowing down slope into Avalanch Gulch

    Photo: Samuel Clairmont

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday's warm temperatures destabilized surface snow on solar slopes of Mount Shasta. Here are the submitted public observations:

Shastarama. A party ascended Shastarama, finding no significant signs of instability on the uphill. On the downhill, the party triggered a thin two to three inch (max of six inches) deep wet-wind slab. The slab propagated 100+ feet wide, and cleaned out most of the surface snow in the line. This avalanche is a product of intense solar heating, new snow combined with wind loaded snow, and a crust below. 

Ash Creek Butte. Forecasters found small, wet loose avalanche activity on S-SE-E aspects below and near treeline. Though wind drifted snow, and hollow wind slabs were identified, they were resistant to trigger. Dry snow exists on shaded, NE-N aspects, near treeline.

Old Ski Bowl. Snowmobilers found natural wet loose avalanche activity under rock bands on Yellow Butte and Green Butte.

To sum it up: As the winter gets later, sunlight and temperature swings increase daily, having a stronger affect on the snowpack. Today, as temperatures climb higher, surface snow may become wet and reactive to trigger. Though most releases will be small, some may be large enough to carry and injure. Wetting snow surfaces may also increase the sensitivity of wind loaded areas.

On your backcountry travels, if you see something interesting, please send us an observation HERE.

Don't forget this weekend: YOUTH Avalanche Awareness and Companion Rescue Day 

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