Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

April showers will continue to bring rain to low elevations and snow up high. Small human-triggered avalanches are possible where snow is wet or wind-drifted. Monitor for signs of instability as you travel - like mushy snow and cracking - and move to mellower terrain if you see them. The avalanche danger will rise tonight as the storm ramps up and snow levels drop.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The ingredients for wind slabs are present: a few inches of fresh snow and moderate southerly winds. Remain vigilant for small, sensitive slabs on leeward or cross-loaded terrain features, especially below ridgelines and in gullies. While you'd be hard-pressed to find a wind slab near treeline this morning, you probably could later today as snow levels drop and snow accumulates. Slabs may become large in size with tonight's new snow. 

    Watch for clues like blowing snow and pillow or dune-shaped surfaces to alert you to potential wind slab locations, and consider avoiding these slopes. Move to mellower or wind-scoured terrain if you observe signs of unstable snow, like cracking. Even a small wind slab could easily knock you off your feet and be dangerous in extreme terrain.

    (2/22/2026)

    A small, skier-triggered wind slab on a wind-drifted feature earlier this season. Pillow-shaped snow on a leeward terrain feature is a strong indication of a wind slab. 

    Photo: Chris Carr

  • Loose Wet

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

    A poor refreeze last night and continued rain-on-snow today leave open the possibility of small wet loose avalanches near treeline. If snow levels drop lower than forecast, you may not find this problem in the backcountry today. Monitor precipitation type as you travel, and move to mellower terrain if you observe unsupportable, mushy, or greasy wet snow. Below treeline, snow coverage in most starting zones is insufficient to list wet loose as a problem today. 

Avalanche Discussion

Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop tonight into Saturday as snowfall rates increase and snow levels drop. Over a foot of snow is possible near treeline by Sunday. This storm is a great example of the dynamism of spring. If you venture into the backcountry, be prepared for variable snow surfaces, poor visibility, and plenty of shallowly buried obstacles at lower elevations. Check out the observations page for conditions from around the area, including a recent trailhead access update. 

Climbing: It's not a great weekend for a summit attempt. Thunderstorms, heavy snow, whiteout conditions, negative wind chills, and firm, icy surfaces with slide-for-life-potential are on the hazard list. The mountain will be there when more favorable weather returns. Check the updated Climbing Advisory for more details and feel free to give us a call if you have questions about your trip - 530-926-9614. 

SATURDAY APRIL 11th - END OF SEASON --> Community Appreciation Party --> MOVED inside due to rain -->  From: Native Grounds Nursery To: Mountain Medics building at 2600 Spring Hill Road. Doors open at 4:00 pm - FREE food, FREE drink, FREE music --> We hope to see you there!

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