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 92% 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 calm winds in town this morning, and it is currently 28F in Mt. Shasta, 38F in Dunsmuir and 21F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 82 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with no new snow over the last 2 weeks. The snow has settled 1 inch over the last 24 hours and 27 inches over the 2 weeks. Temperatures have ranged between 24F to 47F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 24F. Winds this morning are estimated at 5 mph below tree line from the E. Above tree line winds are estimated at 10-15 mph from the NW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 20 mph from the NNW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours, with 29 inches of settlement over the last 2 weeks. We estimate around 6 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 36F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 22-57F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 22F. Weather Forecast: A strong high pressure ridge is parked overhead with the center of it moving over our area today. We will see temperatures a few degrees warmer today and shifting winds. Clear and warm weather will continue Monday (a few degrees cooler) with a very weak storm bringing clouds Tuesday and light snow above 4000 ft. Wednesday morning. A stronger system will bring more snow on Thursday night and Friday with the snow level dropping well below town and another system coming in next weekend. For today we can expect temperatures at mid elevations to reach the mid 40's to low 50's, and at low elevations temperatures will warm to the mid 50's to 60F. Winds below tree line will be light from the E and move to the SE this evening. Above tree line, winds will be 10-20 mph from the NW in the morning, then move to the N, NE, E and finally to the SE tonight. On the upper mountain, winds will be 15-20 mph from NW, moving to the SSW by tomorrow morning. Snow Pack: The snow pack has settled dramatically and become more stable over the last two weeks. However, isolated areas of instability exist with wet slabs possible at lower elevations so don't let your guard down in this spring-like weather. Wet slabs are harder to trigger but slopes at low elevation with the longest exposure to sunshine will be more vulnerable, especially in the steeper areas (greater than 35 degrees). Corn snow is more likely in open southerly slopes by late morning at low elevations and by early afternoon at mid elevations. Above tree line the snow is fairly rough due to wind sculpting, but patches of smooth snow can be found. In the trees, shady areas will have chunky to breakable crust conditions. Continue to be observant for signs of changing conditions as temperatures warm today. Looking down the south side of Mt. Shasta from Lake Helen at 10,400 ft. on 2/16/08/ The view looking down from Lake Helen on 2/16/08. The rough snow surface was created by winds. (click on image to enlarge) 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! Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: Stephen's pass was groomed 2/12. Deer Mnt. and Ash Creek Butte were groomed 2/14.