Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

A high impact storm will bring large amounts of snow and wind to the Mount Shasta area today through tomorrow. Dangerous conditions will exist near and above treeline, where an avalanche could be large and destructive. Natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Near and above treeline, the best bet is to stay off of avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Yesterday's observations showed moderate wind and obvious wind transported snow near treeline. Massive wind loading could be seen on upper Mount Shasta where winds remained strong out of the south. This problem could be found on SW-W-N-E aspects where wind loading and cross loading has been occurring for over a week. In specific wind loaded areas, slabs could be easily triggered by skis and could break into older snow. If in doubt, stay out of avalanche terrain and wind loading features. 

    (1/9/2023)

    Wind textured snow near the summit of Gray Butte. A sign of recent wind transport. 

  • Storm Slabs

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

    With the recent warming and settling that has occurred near and below treeline, this will be a new snow issue. It is unlikely that an avalanche will break deeper than the new snow that falls in this storm system. With that being said, this storm is expected to put two feet or more of new snow near treeline. An avalanche this deep could still be large, dangerous, and could bury you. This problem will likely be widespread wherever the snow has fallen, and will be very touchy through the storm cycle.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday's surprisingly warm weather had significant impacts on our snowpack below and near treeline. Avalanche concern with old snow has been greatly reduced in these areas. That being said, this approaching storm will not be giving much of a break. We will quickly return to new snow hazard across all aspects and elevations where new snow has fallen. Above treeline, large to very large avalanches are still of great concern. In the backcountry today, expect visibility to worsen drastically as you approach treeline. While on the snow, always be looking for signs of instability and be prepared to change plans based on weather and snowpack observations. 

We have another FREE Know Before You Go avalanche awareness night coming up! This one is in Redding at Sports LTD, January 12 at 7pm. If you live in the Redding area or want to join us for a fun night, come down, and we'll see you there!

ROAD STATUS: 

  • The Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake road are closed.

Regions covered