Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Nearly a foot of new snow over the past 48 hours leaves snow available for transport by strong northwest winds. You can expect to find wind slabs forming in specific terrain near and above treeline on leeward, west to south to east aspects. Identify this hazard by observing for shooting cracks, collapsing and hollow drum-like sounds as you travel.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow from Tuesday night totaling 6 to 12 inches remains available for transport by continued strong wind. During the period of active snowfall, wind predominately blew out of the south. By midday yesterday, the increasing wind shifted to west and northwest, blowing loose snow onto leeward south, southeast and east aspects. 

    While out in the field yesterday, we found these wind slabs to be forming on the December 30th crust. The layer of concern lies just beneath this uppermost crust in dry, fist hard snow.

    You are most likely to find trouble where wind slabs above this layer are strong, and at higher elevations where the crust layer thins. Dig down and assess this layer interface for instability as you travel in the backcountry today.

    Manage this problem by avoiding avalanche terrain, looking for signs of instability (shooting cracks, collapsing, and blowing snow), and travelling on wind scoured slopes on the northwest side of the compass.

Regions covered