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 89% 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. January 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 light rain in town this morning, and it is currently 37F in Mt. Shasta, 38F in Dunsmuir and 33F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 78 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with 1 inch of new snow over the last 24 hours. The snow has settled 2 inches over the last 24 hours. Temperatures have ranged between 22F to 35F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 26F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15-20 mph below tree line from the SE. Above tree line winds are estimated at 20 mph from the S and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 15 mph from the SW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received a trace to 1 inch of new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We estimate around 5.5 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 25F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 27-44F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 30F. Weather Forecast: The storm is just now hitting the coast and the Klamath mountains and is moving in a favorable direction for precipitation in our area. However, the trend with this storm and the next one this weekend is to focus on the northern and central Sierra. We will see increasing snow fall today above 4500 ft. with showers tomorrow and snow levels down to 2500 ft. A stronger storm will arrive Saturday into Sunday and bring strong winds and 1-2 feet of snow. For today's storm we can expect 8-10 inches of snow fall by tomorrow morning above 5500 ft. with much less at lower elevations due to rain/snow mix. We will receive another 3-5 inches of snow on Friday. Temperatures today at lower elevations (5-7000 ft.) will hover in the upper 20's to 30F, and in the mid 20's to upper teens at mid elevations (7-10,000 ft.). Winds below tree line will be 15-20 mph from the SE and increase tonight to 30 mph from the SSW. Above tree line winds will be 20 mph from the S this morning and increase to 35-40 mph from the SSW today, slowing tomorrow morning to 20 mph from the SW. On the upper mountain winds will increase today to 45 mph from the WSW. Snow Pack: We've had dust on crust and that will improve today as snow accumulates at mid elevations. Before today's storm, I have been finding stable snow with good results in stability tests at low to mid elevations on several aspects (Rutschblock scores of R7 where R1-3 are unstable, R4-5 are moderate and R6-7 fair stability). Wind slabs will begin forming today on northerly aspects at low and mid elevations and northerly and easterly aspects at upper elevations, with some 2-3 feet deep by tomorrow morning. Continue to use your observational skills to travel safely today, identifying wind loaded slopes. The best conditions today will be in open southerly slopes and later today below tree line on slopes not affected by the wind. 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!