Avalanche Advisory for 2015-02-15 06:39:43

There is not much new to report for the weather, or changes in the snow pack. Another beautiful, sunny and mild day is on tap today for Mount Shasta and the surrounding area.  The melt/freeze conditions have continued to work their magic on our snow pack creating prime corn snow for your enjoyment. We're sure it goes with out saying that aspect, elevation, and time of day are going to dictate snow quality and condition.  Low to mid elevation south-southeast slopes will offer the best chance for daytime softening and prime corn conditions.  Yesterday, good corn snow was present up to at around 11,000 feet and good ski conditions were reported in Avalanche Gulch from Helen Lake down.  Good corn snow conditions were also observed in Old Ski Bowl as snowmobilers frolicked about. 

The warm daytime temperatures and mild night time lows continue to consolidate and stabilize the 3-4 feet of new snow received last weekend.  No snow instabilities were observed or reported yesterday as plenty of folks ventured up onto the flanks of Mt. Shasta to enjoy winter's white gift.  Currently, confidence remains high for increasing snowpack stability.  Snow crystals continue to bond and gain strength due to the sunny days, and an isothermal snowpack (constant temperature throughout snow layers) was observed.  Winds will not be much of a factor as they will be light at 5-15 mph coming from variable directions, Easterly to more Northerly over the next couple of days. 

Images:
Pit profile from Friday (2/13/15). 
A look into Avalanche Gulch from Casaval Ridge from 2.11.15 - Photo: H Meyers

Report your observations to the MSAC! A photo, a few words... send them in! (nimeyers@fs.fed.us or 530-926-9614)

Castle Lake area has a shallow snowpack. Be careful of shallow buried objects. Skiing has been reported as poor to non-existent. The road to Castle Lake is currently CLOSED due to flooding and culvert damage that washed out the road.

Sand Flat Winter Trails: OPEN, trail conditions are firm and getting thin with some tree debris on snow surface. 

Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: OPEN, however due to lack of low elevation snow, one must drive up the road several miles before enough snow is encountered. One CANNOT DRIVE over Military Pass.

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Terrain:  Remember most of the terrain that we like to play on is greater than 30 degrees.  Avalanches are possible on anything steeper than 30 degrees.  Avoid cornices, rock bands, terrain traps and runout zones of avalanche paths.

Weather:  Most of our areas avalanche danger will occur 24-48 hours after a storm. We still can see persistent weak layers from time to time and we always will be sure to let you know about that!  Heed the basic signs: Wind (significant snow transport and depositions), Temperature (rain/snow/rain/snow, which in turn weakens the snowpack), and Precipitation (Snow or rain add weight and stress to the current snowpack).

Snowpack:  If snow accumulates, give the snowpack a chance to adjust to the new snow load before you play on or near steep slopes (greater than 30 degrees).  Most direct action avalanches occur within 24-48 hours of recent snowfall.  Watch for obvious signs of snowpack instability such as recent natural avalanche activity, collapsing of the snowpack (often associated with a “whumphing” sound), and shooting cracks. If you see these signs of instability, limit your recreation to lower angle slopes.

Human Factor: Don’t forget to carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear. You should NOT be skiing or climbing potential avalanche slopes without having beacons, shovels, and probes.  Only one person in a group should be exposed to potential avalanche danger at a time.  Remember, climbing, skiing, and riding down the edge of slopes is safer than being in the center.  Just because another person is on a slope doesn’t mean that it is safe.  Be an individual!  Make your own decisions.  Heed the signs of instability: rapid warming, “whumphing” noises, shooting cracks, snowing an inch an hour or more, rain, roller balls, wind loading, recent avalanche activity.

The Five Red Flags of Avalanche Danger any time of year include:  1) Recent/current avalanche activity  2) Whumpfing sounds or shooting cracks  3) Recent/current heavy snowfall  4) Strong winds transporting snow  5) Rapid warming or rain on snow.