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 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 cloudy skies with some openings in town this morning with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, and it is currently 32F in Mt. Shasta, 33F in Dunsmuir and 32F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 83 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with 3 inches of new snow over the last 24 hours and a storm total of 9 inches. The snow has settled 3 inches over the last 24 hours. Temperatures have ranged between 22F to 32F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 22F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15 mph below tree line from the SE. Above tree line winds are estimated at 30 mph from the S and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 45 mph from the NW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received 3 inches of new snow and 4 inches of settlement in the last 24 hours. We have around 6 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 23F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 21-38F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 26F. Weather Forecast: We have a potent storm which has moved very quickly, but is now lurking off the California coast. This storm has a fair amount of water in it and is driven by a strong jet stream which will enhance its' performance. It looks like most of the power in this storm will be in the central part of California hitting the Sierra's, but good orographics will help bring plenty to Mt. Shasta. We will see snow increasing this afternoon with a few hours of very heavy snowfall and winds will pick up this afternoon and evening at low and mid elevations. Strong snow showers will occur Sunday morning through afternoon, tapering in the evening and high pressure will begin building on Monday with dry conditions through Thursday. For today we will see snow beginning later this morning and increasing around 4 pm with the snow level around 3000 ft and lower in the Sacramento river canyon. We will accumulate a foot to 1.5 feet at mid elevations by tomorrow morning with some areas receiving up to 20 inches. On Sunday the snow level will rise to 4000 ft in the afternoon with 6 to 12 inches at mid elevations. Temperatures below tree line today will be in the mid 20's with temperatures above tree line in the low 20's to teens. Winds below tree line will be from the SSE at 10-15 mph and increase tonight to 30-40 mph from the SSE. Above tree line winds today will be 20-25 mph from the S, increasing this afternoon to 40-50 mph from the S and SSW. On the upper mountain, winds will be around 40 mph from the SW. Snow Pack: Yesterday at lower elevations we had semi heavy powder on a firm base and the new snow was well bonded. Near tree line we had reports of much lighter snow and little wind affect. Conditions will be good today, especially near and below tree line. Concerns are for this afternoon and evening when heavy snowfall will begin adding more weight and stress to the snow pack and winds will increase and begin building wind slabs on northerly aspects. Cornices will be sensitive later today and into tomorrow morning and when broken, will likely trigger slabs below. People out late in the day or staying overnight should travel on lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above and plan on camping on high ground away from potential slide paths. Access roads later today into tomorrow morning will most likely not be plowed. 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!