Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Small winds slabs will be possible to trigger on leeward aspects near and especially above treeline today. Bed surfaces underlying new and recent snow will remain firm. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks on test slopes before committing to steeper wind loaded terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Light snowfall today combined with west to northwest winds will create the potential for small, reactive wind slabs above treeline. Small pockets near treeline may come into play if over an inch of snow falls at these elevations. Wind slabs that formed following the Feb. 28 - March 1 storm may still be reactive in extreme terrain at the highest elevations on Mount Shasta, especially in protected, shadier areas. Graupel within that storm snow could remain as a reactive weak layer.

    The problem will be present on the leeward side of ridges, rock outcrops, gullies, and rollovers. Areas directly beneath prominent ridgelines will hold the deepest drifts. Look for clues such as fresh cornices, wind lips and blowing snow to alert you to potential locations. In steep terrain, a small slide could result in a more consequential fall on the slick bed surfaces.

    (3/2/2026)

    New wind slab on S/SE facing moraine in the Old Ski Bowl at 9,500 feet. About 10 inches of new, drifted snow in this location. Propagating result roughly 6 inches down on a density change after an abrupt tap on a column of ECT dimensions. 

    Photo: Hayden MacArthur

Avalanche Discussion

Colder temperatures will keep underlying bed surfaces firm with a stout melt freeze crust in many areas. A breakable crust may be present in isolated areas. Small amounts of new snow are expected to accumulate through the day. Wet and moist snow is still present beneath the thick melt-freeze crust from prior rain, wet snow, and melt, but the snowpack appears to have decreased in its free water content. The colder temperatures will continue to freeze the snowpack. We have removed the wet slab avalanche problem as it is becoming increasingly unlikely. Some uncertainty remains given the difficulty in predicting these events and the interaction of pooling meltwater and buried weak layers. 

Regions covered