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 88% 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 clear skies this morning with light N winds. It is currently 27F in Mt. Shasta, 33F in Dunsmuir and 20F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 83 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with no new snow over the last 5 days. 1 inch of settlement was measured over the last 24 hours. Temperatures have ranged between 22F to a toasty 48F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 23F. Winds this morning are estimated at 5-10 mph below tree line from the S. Above tree line winds are estimated at 10-15 mph from the NW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 20 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow and little settlement in the last 24 hours. We have 6 ft. of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 36F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 21-56F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 21F (cold air collects at lake). Weather Forecast: Another well developed storm in the eastern Pacific is weakening as it approaches the coast and will push mostly north of our area. However, we will see increasing clouds today and some light precipitation tonight with the snow level starting at 6000 ft. and dropping to 4500 ft. with at best a very thin dust to 1 inch of snow. Winds will increase tonight at upper elevations. The sun will return Saturday, with warm air pushing in on Sunday morning and a cold front arriving Monday. Unsettled weather is expected next week. For today we will start off sunny with increasing clouds. Below tree line temperatures will warm into the upper 30's to low 40's with some low elevation areas approaching 50F. Winds below tree line will be 5-10 mph from the S and SW, increasing later today to 15 mph from the SW and moving to the W tomorrow morning. Above tree line, temperatures will be in the upper 20's to 30F and decrease this evening into the low 20's. Winds at and above tree line will be light from the SW and W, increasing this afternoon to 25-30 mph from the W, moving to the NW this evening. On the upper mountain winds will increase from 20 mph today from the W to 80 mph tonight and move to the NW. Snow Pack: The snow pack has settled and strengthened significantly over the last week and half with spring-like weather. Stability tests continue to show good stability with failures requiring a lot of force or not occurring at all during tests. Corn snow will be found today at lower and mid elevations. Normal caution is still advised. 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: No grooming over the last week. 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!