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Avalanche Forecast for 2020-02-29 06:45

  • EXPIRED ON March 1, 2020 @ 6:45 am
    Published on February 29, 2020 @ 6:45 am
  • Issued by Aaron Beverly - Mount Shasta Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger is LOW. Be prepared for a firm snowpack. Bring an ice axe, crampons, and helmet if making a summit attempt. It's going to be a gray, cold, windy day.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Avalanche Problem 1: Normal Caution

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Avalanche danger is LOW. Exercise normal caution. Stay in the habit of bringing your avalanche rescue gear: shovel, probe, and transceiver. Follow best practices for wilderness and backcountry travel. Carry the ten essentials.

Forecast Discussion

Temperatures are dropping as we speak. Concerns for rock fall will diminish today. If climbing the mountain, expect firm conditions. Bring an ice axe, crampons, and helmet and know how to use them. Dress for cold, windy weather.

Recent Observations

Temperatures near treeline on Mount Shasta have dropped from 45 to 28 degrees. West/northwest winds are increasing. Gusts have been up to 25 mi/hr.

The snowpack is looking like early summer: shallow and dirty, but stable. Some rock fall is evident. A few small point releases have been observed during the warm weather over the last few days, though no new ones were seen yesterday.

Weather and Current Conditions

Weather Summary

Cold air from the north is moving in today.  Expect cloudy, windy, and frigid weather. Snow levels will be near town. You might see some flurries, but don't anticipate any accumulation.

Sunny, cold, and windy conditions come tomorrow.

24 Hour Weather Station Data @ 5:00 AM

Weather Station Temp (°F) Wind (mi/hr) Snow (in) Comments
Cur Min Max Avg Avg Max Gust Dir Depth New Water Equivalent Settlement
Mt. Shasta City (3540 ft) 30 30 64 44.5 2 N
Sand Flat (6750 ft) 27 27 48 37 41 0 0 0
Ski Bowl (7600 ft) 28 28 45 36.5 60.2 0 0 0.5
Gray Butte (8000 ft) 26 26 42 34.5 13 25 WNW
Castle Lake (5870 ft) 25 25 57.5 41 27.9 0 0
Mount Eddy (6509 ft) 22 22 47.5 37 1 9 WSW 44.4 0 0
Ash Creek Bowl (7250 ft) down
Ash Creek Ridge (7895 ft) down

Two Day Mountain Weather Forecast

Produced in partnership with the Medford NWS

For 7000 ft to 9000 ft
  Saturday
(4 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Saturday Night
(10 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
Sunday
(4 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Weather A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy Sunny. Blustery.
Temperature (°F) 25 16 27
Wind (mi/hr) Northwest 5-10 North 10-15 North 10-15
Precipitation SWE / Snowfall (in) 0.00 / 0 0.00 / 0 0.00 / 0
For 9000 ft to 11000 ft
  Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Windy. Low wind chills. A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Blustery. Low wind chills. Mostly sunny and cold. Windy. Low wind chills.
Temperature (°F) 19 4 9
Wind (mi/hr) West 15-20 North 15-20 North 30-35
Precipitation SWE / Snowfall (in) 0.00 / 0 0.00 / 0 0.00 / 0

Season Precipitation for Mount Shasta City

Period Measured (in) Normal (in) Percent of Normal (%)
From Oct 1, 2024 (the wet season) 12.90 29.50 44
Month to Date (since Dec 1, 2024) 0.12 7.23 2
Year to Date (since Jan 1, 2024) 3.97 14.29 28

Disclaimer

This forecast does not apply to Ski Areas or Highways and is for the Mt. Shasta, Castle Lake and Mt. Eddy backcountry. Use this information for guidance only. You may find different conditions in the backcountry and should travel accordingly. This forecast expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted.