Avalanche forecast

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A powerful winter storm continues to hammer Mount Shasta with strong winds, and a lot of new snow. Very large natural and human-triggered avalanches are expected above, near, and below treeline. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With winds remaining in the high to extreme category overnight above treeline, expect large amounts of wind transport. South facing slopes will likely be patchy or completely scoured of new snow. North facing slopes will have collected large amounts of new snow and wind deposited snow. A combination of high precipitation intensities and strong winds have the potential to create very large, well-connected slab avalanches. These avalanches could break very deep, and run long distances. Because winds were so strong above treeline, there is potential to find this problem prevalent on slopes below treeline. This is not the day to explore avalanche terrain. Best bet is to let these slopes settle through the coming days. 

    (1/4/2023) Photo: Forecaster

  • Storm Slabs

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

    With ~2.7 inches of water in the last 24 hours, a lot of new snow has fallen in the mountains. Near and below treeline, this new snow is going to be well distributed across all aspects and elevations. With the current state of the snowpack containing an old surface crust and weaker snow underneath, storm slab will very likely trigger on the new snow old snow interface. 

Avalanche Discussion

Today would be a dangerous day to explore any avalanche terrain in the Mount Shasta area. A combination of strong winds, and new snow (increased water weight) will very likely create large and destructive avalanches. 

Unfortunately, a power outage caused all of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center weather stations to stop communicating after 8pm last night. The best data point available is what was collected at the weather station in town. New snow totals on the mountain are unknown. With ~2.7 inches of water in town, it is safe to say it snowed very hard for at least 8 hours last night.

With storms that have this level of intensity, it is often best practice to step back and let the storm run its course. If you choose to go into the backcountry today, check your batteries, use good communication, move slowly, and stay out of avalanche terrain. 

There are two MSAC events coming up!  These are great opportunities if you are looking to gain some baseline avalanche education. The first is a FREE Avalanche Awareness Presentation! This will be held January 7th at 7:00pm at Deadwood Supply Co in Mt. Shasta City. It will be followed by a FREE Avalanche Rescue training the next morning at Bunny Flat Trailhead. More information can be found on the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center Events Page.

Regions covered