Avalanche Warning Issued for Mount Shasta Region Amid Powerful Atmospheric River
The Mount Shasta Avalanche Center has issued a backcountry avalanche warning as a powerful atmospheric river impacts Northern California. The warning is in effect through noon on Thursday, November 21, covering areas including Mount Shasta, Castle Lake, the Eddy Mountains, and Ash Creek Butte.
Heavy snowfall and rain-on-snow conditions are expected to create extremely dangerous avalanche hazards. The center warned of large, destructive avalanches that could travel long distances into flat terrain, valley floors, and forests.
“Intense rainfall and multiple feet of new snow will produce large and destructive avalanches,” the center stated.
The National Weather Service (NWS) also cautioned about potential debris flows from Mount Shasta drainages such as Cascade Gulch, Ash Creek, and Mud Creek, further heightening the risk.
Backcountry users are urged to stay out of avalanche terrain and avoid traveling in, near, or below slopes where avalanches could occur. Recreationalists without advanced avalanche safety skills are strongly advised to avoid the backcountry altogether due to deep snow and unpredictable conditions.
