Avalanche Advisory for Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 6:30 am

 By Eric White & Nick Meyers
 
 The Details:

 This Season: We had a few early season hints of snow in October, then
 a dry spell with December starting to show signs of winter. Our
 precipitation is around 94% of normal. We currently have around 3
 feet of recent snow on a thin old snow surface. We are in a "La Nina"
 climate condition which often means wetter than normal winters in our
 area and expectations are above normal precipitation into the spring
 of 2008.


 Weather Observations: We have partly cloudy skies and cool
 temperatures this morning. Mt. Shasta - We have 34 inches of snow on
 the ground near tree line with only a trace of new snow over the last
 24 hours. The snow settled 1 inch in the last 24 hours and
 temperatures have ranged between 11F and a balmy 39F at 7000 ft. and
 it is currently 18F. Winds this morning at tree line were estimated
 at around 30 mph from the WNW, and up to 25 mph from the WNW below
 tree line. On the upper mountain winds are estimated this morning at
 60 mph from the NW. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received only a trace
 of new snow in the last 24 hours with 1 inch of settlement.

 Temperatures cooled from 41F to 16F over the last 24 hours. We
 estimate around 2 ft. of snow on the ground with brush showing.

 Castle Lake is around 19F this morning.



 Weather Forecast: The cold front has moved in bringing cool Alaskan
 air and a chance of light snow showers with little accumulation. The
 next storm is heading our direction, but it looks like it will
 approach from the NW which isn't favorable for snowfall in Mt.
 Shasta. The Siskiyous may get more snow with 8-10 inches possible
 while only 3-5 inches on Mt. Shasta. Snow levels will be around 3000
 ft. and to Dunsmuir/Castella in the Sacramento canyon. For today we
 can expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the teens at mid
 elevations. Winds will be from the NW at all elevations today, and
 around 10 mph below tree line, 25-30 mph at tree line and up to 75 mph
 on the upper mountain. On the summit today a wind chill temperature
 of -48F and colder is forecast.



 Snow Pack: We had some warming after the last storm, followed by
 cooling and next to zero new snow. This has left us with a stronger
 snow pack and very firm conditions in places, along with breakable
 crusts in the trees. Strong winds have been with us for the last
 week, mostly from the W and NW, so pockets of MODERATE avalanche
 danger exist above tree line where wind slabs are present. Below tree
 line, we have mostly LOW avalanche danger and general caution is still
 advised. Continue to watch for obstacles in our relatively shallow
 snowpack.


 Some important thoughts: This advisory does not apply to Ski Areas or
 Highways and is for the Mt. Shasta, Castle Lake and Mt. Eddy back
 country. Use this information for guidance only. You may find
 different conditions in the backcountry and should travel
 accordingly. This advisory expires at midnight tonight. As always,
 use safe travel practices: travel with a partner, travel one at a
 time in suspect areas, go from one island of safety to another, choose
 safe routes, wear a transceiver, carry a shovel and probe, and know
 how to use your gear!