Mount Shasta

A petite storm will bring increasing clouds, cooling temperatures and strong southerly wind today. Tonight, expect rain and a couple inches of mountain snow above 6,000 feet. The avalanche danger will remain low. 

Temperatures near treeline have not dropped below freezing for 6 days. Ordinarily this would be very concerning for wet avalanche problems, but this season is not ordinary. We're on track for the driest January-March period on record. Mount Shasta has received less than 2 inches of liquid precipitation since January 1st (11 percent of normal). There just isn't very much snow left out there, and what is left is very consolidated, dense, and stable. Most south facing slopes are bare ground. Avalanche danger has been low for most of the past two months. Wet snow instability could exist near and below treeline, but only in isolated steep and rocky areas that are still holding snow. Watch for moving wet snow like pinwheels and rollerballs as signs of wet loose avalanche potential. Expect rockfall on the mountain as warm temperatures loosen up snow holding rocks in place. Climb early, keep your eyes up, and wear a helmet.