Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche conditions remain dangerous throughout the advisory area. Multiple feet of new snow and sustained southerly winds have installed sensitive slabs on slopes greater than 30 degrees. Human-triggered avalanches remain likely. Strategic travel techniques and a conservative mindset are essential. Avoid traveling on or below steep slopes to reduce your risk.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3.5

    Large wind slabs averaging multiple feet in depth exist beneath leeward ridgelines, convex slopes, and among rocky pockets of terrain. If triggered, these avalanches have the potential to run very long distances and are capable of burying or killing those involved. Today, winds will continue to govern a southerly direction, with a slight southwest component. This will further the development and sensitivity of existing wind slabs. This problem exists near and above treeline on west, through north, through east aspects. Cross-loaded slopes are likely on south aspects. Slopes that exhibits signs of wind-textured snow, large cornices, and a pillow-like appearance should be avoided and managed with great care. 

    (1/15/2024)

    Sun Bowl Avalanche Debris. Slab the size of refrigerators  

    Photo: Samuel Clairmont

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Over the last two days, 20+ inches of snow has fallen, with another 10 inches expected today. These amounts are leading to the development of thicker and more robust storm slabs. With this, higher consequences are at stake. For such conditions, conservative decision-making and appropriate management should also be adopted.   This deluge of snow has pushed the snowpack to its threshold, making it likely for slabs and sluffs to break free in any terrain steeper than 30 degrees. Small temperature swings may have caused density changes within the new snow, creating a poor snowpack structure. Explore this by digging down and feeling for different densities within the slab. Storm slabs typically break at your feet along convex slopes and have the ability to propagate hundreds of feet wide. Monitor the reactivity of surface slabs by using inconsequential test slopes or digging a pit. Maintaining situational awareness and controlling the terrain you're in, is the best line of defense. Remember, you can't get caught in an avalanche if you're not in avalanche terrain.  

    A snow pit profile illustrating the hand hardness structure and the reactive interfaces and layers within the snow

    Photo: Eric Falconer

Avalanche Discussion

It certainly has been a wet and wild ride for Mount Shasta lately. Powder fever is very contagious, and complacency is one of its symptoms. Don't let complacency get you killed. The snowpack is experiencing a large amount of change. Assume nothing. Step back and adopt an assessment mind state while conditions adjust. Build in safety margins to your tour plan and re-assess objectives based off what you experience. With large amounts of uncertainty for above treeline terrain, travel would be unwise and is not recommended. 

The Everit Memorial Highway and Castle lake roads are closed for snow removal. We will inform on our social media platforms when they re-open.  

24-hour storm totals (inches):Old Ski Bowl (7,600 feet): 13      - Total snow depth: 163Sand Flat (6,800 feet): 11    - Total snow depth:  104Castle (5,800 feet): 14      - Total snow depth: 109Eddy (6,600 feet): 16       - Total snow depth: 132

A storm outing was had yesterday on the south face of Gray Butte. Forecasters discovered a highly touchy snowpack. Find out more details HERE.

Regions covered