Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Slabs of wind-drifted snow on leeward aspects above treeline remain a concern. Strong input from the sun today will cause natural loose snow avalanches below and near treeline, especially on southerly aspects. For both problems, identify areas of unstable snow and navigate cautiously near extreme terrain with rock outcroppings and where slope angles exceed 30°.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Previous wind loading and recent snow accumulation leaves us with some lingering wind slabs out there. You are most likely to encounter this problem above treeline where it's been colder, and the snow is still dry enough to be available for wind transport. Below and near treeline, you are very unlikely to find wind slabs. After receiving a heavy dose of the afternoon sun yesterday, low elevation wind slabs healed quickly and remaining dry snow up to 9,000 feet became damp, even on shaded aspects.

    Identify this problem by watching for signs of instability (shooting cracks, collapsing) on leeward aspects. Especially in or near steep couloirs, cliff bands, or slope convexities. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    With a back-to-back onslaught of winter storms, it's been a while since we've seen the sun. Today it will emerge from the clouds, shining at a much higher angle than it had earlier this winter. This emergence will cause melt, creating free water in the new surface snow which increases the possibility for wet loose avalanches on solar aspects that typically receive sun lower elevations that will see temperatures rise above freezing. Observe early indicators of surface instability like roller balls or pinwheels and be cautious around steep areas above terrain traps where a loose avalanche could catch you off guard and carry you into hazardous objects like cliffs or trees. 

    (1/4/2024)

    Small wet loose avalanches on the east side of Green Butte

    Photo: Cory Beattie

Avalanche Discussion

Siskiyou County has repaired their blower! Those dedicated folks are now actively clearing the Everitt Memorial Highway and Castle Lake roads, although they remain closed until further notice. Alternative opportunities include the freshly groomed trails at the Mount Shasta Nordic Center, FSR 41N56 (McBride Springs), Parks Creek, the South Fork, Mount Shasta Ski Park, and Pilgrim and Deer Mountain OSV parks. You can park near the railroad track on FSR 31 and ride a snow machine (Old McCloud) up to the Old Ski Bowl. Please help keep access open by respecting the over snow vehicle closure areas. Here's a map of the riding boundaries for the Southside of Mount Shasta.

Regions covered