FALL AVALANCHE STATEMENT updated December 4^th, 2007.


 Upcoming Events:

 Wednesday, December 5: Film Night With Friends - A fundraiser put on
 by Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center with 2 great movies at
 the Wayside Grill. Doors open 6pm and movies begin at 7pm. $8 entry

 

 Note: The Everitt Memorial Highway is plowed to Bunny Flat, however it
 is closed past here for the season.



 Climate experts continue to observe moderate "La Nina" conditions in
 the Pacific Ocean. This usually means cold and wet conditions for the
 Pacific Northwest and dry conditions for the south and southwest. Mt.
 Shasta often benefits during La Nina conditions, but sometimes the wet
 weather stays north. Moderate La Nina conditions are expected to
 continue over the next few months into at least early2008.


 With funding from the Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center,
 Snowdog Engineering was able to upgrade the communication system for
 the Mt. Eddy weather station and do some maintenance at all of the
 other weather stations this Fall. However, we recently had lightning
 damage to our main radio which has prevented communication with all of
 our weather stations. We are still diligently working on repairing
 this problem.



 Matt Hill, one of the founders of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center, has
 moved on and his position does not look like it will be filled this
 winter. With only 1 forecaster, we will provide avalanche advisories
 3-4 days a week this winter instead of daily. Your input and
 observations of weather and snow pack are needed more than ever this
 winter! (530)926-9614


 

 Mountain Weather:

 Precipitation so far this water year (July 1 - June 30) has dropped to
 just below normal (~80% in town). Around 8 inches of water (3+ in the
 last storm) has fallen on the mountain this fall with both rain and
 snow. This last storm as of December 3^rd brought us some very high
 winds and approximately 10 inches of snow at Bunny Flat (6,900 feet)
 which was rained on and settled down to around 6 inches. We will begin
 providing avalanche advisories 3-4 days a week when we have
 significant snowfall. Fall/winter are often a time of strong winds on
 Mt. Shasta and most climbers recently have been forced to retreat.

 <>
 Some things to consider:

 Backcountry travelers should make terrain, weather and snow pack
 evaluations as they travel over snow covered terrain. Remember that
 seemingly insignificant slides may be dangerous. Almost half of all
 avalanche fatalities occur in slides traveling less than 300 feet.


 Fall Season Watch Outs!

 * Surface sluffs and wind slabs
 * Shallowly buried rocks and trees can cause serious damage or
 injury.

 * Sink holes around brush and small trees can be dangerous.

 * Snow bridges over crevasses can be touchy and unsupportable.

 * Shallow snowpack with cold air temperatures can produce unstable
 snow

 <>These are just a few things you should watch out for when traveling
 during the early part of the winter season.



 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.