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 91% 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, 32F in Dunsmuir and
 20F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 80 inches of
 snow on the ground below tree line with no new snow over the last 2
 weeks. The snow has settled 2 inches over the last 24 hours and 29
 inches over the last 2 weeks. Temperatures have ranged between 23F to
 toasty 51F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 26F. Winds this morning
 are estimated at 10-15 mph below tree line from the SE. Above tree
 line winds are estimated at 10-15 mph from the SE and on the upper
 mountain winds are estimated at 10-15 mph from the SE this morning.

 Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow and 1 inch of
 settlement in the last 24 hours, with 30 inches of settlement over the
 last 2 weeks. We estimate around 5.75 ft. of snow on the ground. The
 temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is baking 40F. Temperatures near
 Castle Lake have been between 21-57F over the last 24 hours and
 currently are around 24F.



 Weather Forecast: Today will be our last day of warm and sunny
 weather for a while as the high pressure leaves and a series of storms
 begin. Our first storm will arrive late Tuesday morning and bring 1-3
 inches of snow above 6000 ft. with the snow level dropping down to
 town by Wednesday morning. A stronger storm will arrive late on
 Wednesday into Thursday with a potentially potent storm next weekend.

 For today we can expect sunny skies with some high clouds later
 today. Temperatures at low elevations will warm into the low to mid
 50's, with temperatures at mid elevations warming to the mid to upper
 40's. Winds below tree line will remain around 10-15 mph from the SE
 and SSE, with winds above tree line around 15 mph from the SE,
 increasing to 20-25 mph from the SSW overnight. On the upper mountain
 winds will be 10-20 mph from the SE today and increase to 30 mph from
 the SSE to SSW on Tuesday.



 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. Next 72 hours: The snow pack will become
 pretty solid tomorrow morning with cooling temperatures. Light rain
 and snow will begin bonding well to the age-hardened snow pack at mid
 and lower elevations with poor bonding and small wind slabs at
 upper elevations. More snow and cooler temperatures on Wednesday
 night and Thursday will add to slabs at mid and upper elevations.


 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!