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 with mostly dry and warm weather during the first half of February and one strong storm near the end 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. February snow surveys locally show our snow pack below tree line at around 107% of normal and water content 96% of normal. We are in a strong "La Nina" climate condition which often means wetter than normal winters in our area. However, expectations for precipitation in the spring of 2008 are uncertain, with equal chances of above or below normal. Weather Observations: We have partly cloudy skies in town this morning with light NNE winds, and it is currently 38F in Mt. Shasta, 36F in Dunsmuir and 31F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 88 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with a trace of new snow over the last 24 hours. 2 inches of settlement were measured over the last 24 hours with 15 inches over the last 5 days. Temperatures have ranged between 26F to 45F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 26F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15-20 mph below tree line from the W. Above tree line winds are estimated at 30-35 mph from the WSW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 60 mph from the WSW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received a trace of new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. The snow has settled 10 inches over the last 5 days. We have around 6 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 22F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 27-54F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 27F. Measurements in the atmosphere show temperatures 15 degrees cooler than yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: The weak storm dropped most of its' water along the coast and deteriorated as it moved inland bringing only a few hundredths of an inch of water, and a trace of snow. Temperatures will be cool today as the cold air behind the front moves through our area. Partly cloudy skies with a few snow showers will be possible today with little accumulation. Of interest as the storm leaves, will be the W and then NW jet stream which will pass overhead throughout the day and bring strong winds to the upper mountain. A weak storm will pass north of our area Monday bringing high clouds to the north state with the rest of the week warm and dry. For today, temperatures below tree line will be in the upper 20's and winds will be 10 mph moving from the W, to the NW, N and then the NE by tomorrow morning. Above tree line temperatures will be in the teens to mid 20's with winds from the W and NW at 30 mph. On the upper mountain winds will be 75 mph from the WNW, decreasing tonight to 65 mph from the NW and then 55 mph tomorrow morning from the NW. Snow Pack: There were some decent turns to be made yesterday below tree line in open areas and punchy snow in the trees at lower elevations. With the cold air coming in behind the front, things will firm up today. Strong NW winds on the upper mountain will move the trace of snow which fell and build small and thin wind slabs on S and E aspects. During stability tests yesterday at 5500 ft. on a W aspect we found a fairly stable snow pack with difficulties getting failures. With cool temperatures today solidifying yesterdays' melt/freeze punchy snow, it will be even harder to get failures. The best conditions today will probably be on open southerly aspects at lower elevations where the firm snow will soften into corn. Call in your observations! (530)926-9614 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! Please report weather and snow observations: (530)926-9614 Thanks! Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park: The Ash Creek Butte Loop was groomed on 2/26. The Five Red Flags of Avalanche Danger any time of year include: 1) Recent/current avalanche activity 2) Whumpfing sounds or shooting cracks 3) Recent/current heavy snowfall 4) Strong winds transporting snow 5) Rapid warming or rain on snow. Nick Meyers carrying his longboards at the competition, 2008. Climbing Ranger Nick Meyers studying the snow on Mt. Shasta, February, 2008. View from the Eddy's on 02/07/08. Nick Meyers, Mt. Shasta Climbing Ranger, at work and play this winter. Left: at the official Longboard competition. Center: Sargents Ridge snow pit, 2/10/08. Right: in the Eddys with Mt. Shasta in the background, 2/7/08. A big thanks to Nick whose winter work ended Saturday, 2/16/08!