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EXPIRED ON February 10, 2021 @ 6:15 amPublished on February 9, 2021 @ 6:15 am
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Issued by
Aaron Beverly - Mount Shasta Avalanche Center
Avalanche danger is low. Normal caution is advised. Expect firm conditions above treeline.
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.
Forecast Hotline: (530) 926-9613
Below Treeline is the lowest of three elevation bands used in the advisories. It extends from valley floors or snowline to Near Treeline. Open areas and sparse trees are possible. Snowfall tends to be less than the other elevation bands. Tree cover shelters the snow from wind effects.
×Near Treeline is the middle of the three elevation bands used in the advisories. It is a transition zone between dense forests and treeless alpine areas. It is the narrowest of the three elevation bands, extending only a few hundred feet above and below the treeline. It varies locally, and is not a constant elevation or width.
×Above Treeline is the highest of the three elevation bands used in the advisories. It includes alpine areas where the most snow falls and the winds are the strongest. It is not an exact elevation, but a characteristic of the terrain, beginning as the treeline transitions into open slopes extending to ridges and the tops of the highest peaks.
×North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.
Watch for signs of unstable snow such as recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.
North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.
Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.
North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.
Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.
North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.
Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making essential.
Natural avalanches possible; human triggered avalanches likely.
Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.
North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.
Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.
Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.
Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.
North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Avalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.
Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
Large to very large avalanches in many areas.
Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.
Avalanche Problem 1: Normal Caution
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Character
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Likelihood
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Certain
Very Likely
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
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Size
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Historic
Very Large
Large
Small
Always bring your situational awareness to the backcountry. Identify potential hazards as you travel. Be prepared for slide-for-life conditions if ascending steep terrain. Have your ice axe, crampons, and helmet. Know that self-arrest will be difficult.
Recent Observations
Over the last 24 hours on Mount Shasta, temperatures have averaged 34 ºF, peaking at 40.5 around 1 p.m. West/northwest winds have averaged 12 mi/hr, gusting up to 31. Snow depth is 73 inches.
Above treeline, the snow did not soften yesterday. Snow surfaces consist of large, chalky sustrugis and firm crusts. Wind exposed moraines and ridgelines are becoming more scoured and some rock fall has been observed.
Weather and Current Conditions
Temperature swings will probably not vary enough to get us a good melt-freeze cycle today. Until Thursday, expect mostly clear skies, day time temperatures in the 20s and 30s, and light to moderate west to northwest winds.
Produced in partnership with the Medford NWS
| Weather |
Mostly sunny. |
Partly cloudy. |
Mostly sunny. |
| Temperature (°F) |
37 |
26 |
35 |
| Wind (mi/hr) |
Northwest 5-10 |
Northwest 5-10 |
Northwest 10-15 |
| Precipitation SWE / Snowfall (in) |
0.00 / 0 |
0.00 / 0 |
0.00 / 0 |
| Weather |
Mostly sunny. Windy. |
Partly cloudy. Blustery. |
Mostly sunny. Windy. |
| Temperature (°F) |
26 |
23 |
24 |
| Wind (mi/hr) |
West 20-30 |
Northwest 15-20 |
Northwest 20-30 |
| Precipitation SWE / Snowfall (in) |
0.00 / 0 |
0.00 / 0 |
0.00 / 0 |
| Period |
Measured (in) |
Normal (in) |
Percent of Normal (%) |
| From Oct 1, 2024 (the wet season) |
12.60 |
24.22 |
52 |
| Month to Date (since Dec 1, 2024) |
1.16 |
1.95 |
59 |
| Year to Date (since Jan 1, 2024) |
9.02 |
9.01 |
100 |
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.
