<>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 90% of normal since September 1. January brought several heavy and cold snow storms with mostly dry and warm weather during the first half of February. Snow pack at lower elevations is 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 overcast skies in town this morning with a trace to 2 inches of new snow, and it is currently 32F in Mt. Shasta, 34F in Dunsmuir and 33F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 83 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with 6 inches of new snow over the last 24 hours. The snow has settled little over the last 24 hours. Temperatures have ranged between 26F to 29F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 27F. Winds this morning are estimated at 10 mph below tree line from the SSW. Above tree line winds are estimated at 20 mph from the SW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 20 mph from the SW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received 7 inches of new snow and 1 inch 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 25F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 29-31F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 29F. Weather Forecast: The jet stream is feeding central California with moist sub tropical air and bringing snow showers to Mt. Shasta today. A potent storm will arrive Saturday afternoon with strong S winds and jet driven uplift Saturday evening. A winter storm watch has been posted for Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon and we will see 20-24 inches of snow fall at mid elevations with the snow level hovering around town Saturday and dropping down to 2500 to 3000 ft. on Sunday morning. For today we can expect snow showers with 3-5 inches possible at mid elevations. Temperatures at lower elevations should stay in the mid 20's and cool to the mid to upper teens at mid elevations. Winds below tree line will be 15 mph from SW, slowing down tonight and moving to the SE tomorrow morning. Above tree line winds will be from the SW at 15 mph and on the upper mountain winds will be 20 mph from the WSW. Snow Pack: The storm came in relatively warm with decent bonding to the stable snow pack underneath below tree line. With cooling temperatures and only light to moderate winds, this has created a "right-side-up" snow pack in most areas. Some small to medium wind slabs have developed near and above tree line, especially on the upper mountain on N and E aspects. The best conditions today will be below tree line in the trees. Continue to be observant for signs of instability, especially in wind affected areas - north and east aspects. 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!