Mount Shasta

Avalanche danger is LOW. The only substantial snowpack in the forecast area exists above 8,000 ft on Mount Shasta. Expect colder temperatures over the next several days.

After a very dry summer, a series of potent atmospheric river events in late October and early November brought above average amounts of water to Northern California, coating the upper elevations of Mount Shasta with several feet of snow.  Above 8,000 ft this snowpack has persisted and transformed into a robust, well-consolidated base with a variety of surfaces.  The unseasonably warm weather of the past couple of weeks has melted much of the snow between 6-7,000 ft and produced spring-like, melt/freeze snow conditions higher on the mountain.  The cooler temperatures forecasted will limit the quality of skiing and riding due to firmer snow surfaces.

The main concern on Mount Shasta for skiers and climbers is early-season riding conditions, rock and icefall, and slide-for-life conditions in steeper terrain. Bring an ice axe, a helmet, and crampons if ascending high into the alpine. Know how to use your equipment.