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 95% of normal since September 1. January brought several heavy and cold snow storms. Snow pack at lower elevations is well above normal, near normal at tree line, and below normal above tree line due to wind scouring. Recent snow surveys locally show our snow pack below tree line at around 137% of normal. 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 clear skies and light to moderate NW winds in town this morning, and it is currently 27F in Mt. Shasta, 32F in Dunsmuir and 23F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 85 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with no new snow over the last 10 days. The snow has settled 1 inch over the last 24 hours and 24 inches over the 10 days. Temperatures have ranged between 11F to 28F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 11F. Winds this morning are estimated at 5 mph below tree line from the NNE. Above tree line winds are estimated at 35 mph from the N and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 80 mph from the N. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours, with 26 inches of settlement over the last 10 days. We estimate around 6 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 18F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 14F-35F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 14F. Weather Forecast: Low pressure has passed around our area with a strong N jet stream overhead this morning and warm air off the coast, all of this moving to the east bringing a strong high pressure ridge over the next few days and warming temperatures. A few storms will begin weakening the high pressure next week with wet and unsettled weather next week, mostly during the second half of the week. Long range trends are for wet and cool weather in late February and early March. For today we can expect sunny skies with temperatures warming to the mid 30's at mid elevations and the mid 40's at low elevations. Winds will be mostly from the NE at most elevations, with speeds below tree line of 10 mph from the ENE and 30 mph from the NE above tree line. With the Jet stream overhead, winds on the upper mountain will be 80-85 mph from the N this morning, decreasing all day from the NNE reaching 45-50 mph this afternoon and down to 20 mph by tomorrow morning. Snow Pack: We continue to find good stability in the snow pack at mid and lower elevations with stable Rutschblock scores of R7. The cool temperatures yesterday kept everything pretty solid. Riding conditions will improve today at lower elevations as temperatures begin to warm and corn snow will be found in open southerly areas below 7000 ft, just starting to soften up by early afternoon. My only concern today will be with recent wind loading from the strong N and NE winds on the upper mountain (12,000 ft. on up). YCupid will give us good conditions for a romantic cruise and picnic today with great views and a few good turns in sunny areas after lunch. Y 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!