updates at 3:30 pm By Eric White The Details: This Season: Our season started late and has had higher winds than normal above tree line. Our precipitation is around 99% of normal since September 1. We had heavy snow fall in early January followed by 2 weeks of dry weather with wet weather in the last part of January. We are in a "La Nina" climate condition which often means wetter than normal winters in our area and expectations are for above normal precipitation into the spring of 2008. Weather Observations: We have overcast skies in town this morning, and it is currently 36F in Mt. Shasta and 34F in Dunsmuir. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 80 inches of snow on the ground near tree line with 4 inches of wet new snow over the last 24 hours and 3 inches of settlement. Temperatures have ranged between 28F to 31F at 7000 ft. and it is currently a 28F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15 mph below tree line from the S. Above tree line winds are estimated at 55-60 mph from the SW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 60 mph from the SW. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received 10 inches of new snow and 2 inches of settlement in the last 24 hours. We estimate around 6 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 30F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 29F-32F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 32F. Weather Forecast: The warm closed low continues to rotate off the central and southern California with our area at the top of the circulation this morning. A cold front from Alaska will move in later this morning, bringing cold air and more snow fall. A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect most of Sunday for many parts of Siskiyou County. We will see the snow level dropping from 5000 ft. to1500 ft. later today with 8-10 inches possible. Temperatures will decrease during the day and more dramatically Sunday night, reaching the upper teens to single digits at mid elevations. Winds will be from the SW and move to the W and NW by Monday morning, moving at 10-15 mph below tree line and 30 mph at tree line with gusts to 45 mph. At upper elevations winds will be 40 mph, gusting to 55 mph from the SW and W. We will see continued cold and unsettled weather through most of the week with snow levels staying near or below town. The weather trend will continue to be wet and cool with winds moving to the W and NW. The amount of snow fall looks like it will slow down Monday through Thursday morning with mostly snow showers and 10-13 inches possible over that time span and snow levels varying between 500 to 3500 ft.. Snow Pack: Difficult driving conditions, road closures and heavy snow challenged many people Saturday. We had several reports of easily triggered avalanches and whumpfing sounds with an upside down snow pack - heavy snow over lighter snow. On Friday, easy failures were found in the new snow and also on a facet layer in the old snow 1.5 -2 feet below the surface. With heavy snow fall today and strong winds above tree line, stress will continue on these layers on all aspects. With the amount of light fluffy snow (15 in.) under the newer heavy layer, this weak layer will persist for a few days until it compacts and warms. The best conditions will be later in the day when the snow level drops, and below tree line on slopes not affected by the wind and less than 35 degrees. It looks like the weather will continue to stress the slopes over the next few days and although we won't be providing advisories until Thursday (1/31) you will need to be observant to the changing conditions and plan accordingly. Over the last several day we have primarily had wind loading and greater stress on NW/N/NE aspects, but it looks like NW and W winds over the next serval days will load E and S aspects, so looking for the signs of the most recent wind loading and being aware of what aspect you are travelling on will be critical. A shooting crack in the snow created by a skier. Results of a stability test in the snow pack showing 2 failures, 1/25/08, Mt. Shasta. A shooting crack on 1/25/08 (left) at 7200 ft., WNW aspect, Mt. Shasta. The Rutschblock stability test on 1/25 (right) gave 2 failures. One occurred around 12-15 inches below the surface at the bottom of the new snow and almost all of it slid off the block (R3 - knee bend). The second failure occurred 2 ft. below the surface on a facet layer and slid cleanly and evenly 8 inches (R3 - knee bend). NW aspect and 32 degree slope at 7400 ft. 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!