Avalanche Advisory for 2016-01-27 07:11:00

Observations for yesterday are limited to information available from the four weathter stations, and little else.  The snowpack continues to settle and stabilize throughout the forecast area with a second day of sunshine Tuesday, and a significant increase in temperature.  Both Old Ski Bowl and Grey Butte weather stations recorded daytime high temperatures at 45 degrees yesterday!  Those type of temperatures at 8,000 ft. have helped to round snow crystals and encourage bonding of snow layers.  The snowpack settled another 2 inches over the course of the day. The warmer temperatures may have even had an impact on shaded, more northerly facing aspects limiting the presence of any loose dry snow instabilities similar to those witnessed on Monday.  Snow on all aspects at elevations near and below 9,000 ft. have been affected by the yesterday's warmer temperatures.  

Todays conditions will reflect a melt freeze cycle with possibly firm conditions, or even a thick crust this morning on southerly facing slopes. Small to medium size wind slabs above treeline could be encountered today, as well.  Roller balls on southerly facing aspects, and failing cornices will also present snow conditions to watch out for.  Wind slab instabilities will be isolated to slopes 37 degrees and steeper on W-NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects above treeline today.  At mid-mountain (10,000 ft) elevations and higher, wind loaded pockets on topography such as roll overs/convexities, steep chutes, and complex terrain with rock outcroppings will represent the best places for triggering wind slabs.  They will be todays primary concern.  Large, destructive avalanche are unlikely, however small human triggered wind slab avalanches are possible, and could sweep somebody into terrain traps and/or undesirable terrain.  Enough snow could be entrained to bury a person in just the right set of circumstances.  Above treeline, keep aware for overhanging cornices on wind affected ridgelines. Continue to be cautious of wind slabs, and pay attention to evidence of wind loading or wind affected snow conditions.

Photos: Left, Avalanche Gulch on 1/25/16 with Casaval Ridge in background. Right, some point release/roller ball activity off the lower portion of Casaval Ridge into Avalanche Gulch. 

Castle Lake: Great skiing was reported from the Castle Lake area Tuesday with pockets of instability in the form of cornice failure, surface sluffing, and small wind/soft slabs. Spacial variability will continue to be the name of the game today. Castle Lake has complex terrain. Steep rollovers, chutes and rocky outcrops can host pockets of instability. The entire north facing ridgeline above Castle Lake can shed cornices and potentially trigger slides below. 

Photos: Left, ridgeline above Castle Lake, cornice failure causing slide. Right, surface hoar observed on northern ridgeline on "Right Peak". 

East Side: Observations on 1/25/2016 from the east side of the forecast area, east of Mt Shasta... Upper snowpack "right side up" with density change from fist to four finger approximately 15cm deep and continuing from four finger to one finger density at approximately 40-45 cm deep. No crust layers were observed in top 100-120 cm of snow. Extended column test on a north aspect at 7,300 feet of ECTX. Recent avalanche activity included a small point release on a southeast aspect below a rock outcropping. Some afternoon roller balls observed on a south aspect near treeline. A skier triggered, small loose-dry sluff on steep terrain occurred as well as another skier triggered small, isolated wind slab on a 37 degree slope. The wind slab was on a north aspect, near treeline with an eight inch crown, approximately 15 feet wide and slid about 20 feet.

Photo: A small wind slab, mid-fracture, along ridgeline, east side

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LOCAL AREA ROAD, NORDIC and SNOWMOBILE PARK STATUS:

The Sand Flat cross country ski trails are in great shape and ready for your cross country skis or snow shoes. These are backcountry trails marked with blue diamonds on trees. Trails are not groomed.  Snow shoers, please blaze a parallel trail to cross country skiers staying out of the skin track. These trails can be accessed via the Everett Memorial Highway. Thank you, and enjoy!

The Mt Shasta Nordic Center is open! These beautiful, groomed trails can be accessed via the Ski Park Highway. http://www.mtshastanordic.org

The Pilgrim Creek & Deer Mountain Snowmobile Parks are open! Trails are being groomed currently. Head to our "Education" tab on our website and find the snowmobile section for trail information, grooming status and other sledder resources!

The Castle Lake road is plowed to the lake. The Everett Memorial Highway is plowed to Bunny Flat.

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