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 87% 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 NW winds. It is currently 35F in Mt. Shasta, 34F in Dunsmuir and 27F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 83 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with a trace of new snow overnight. Temperatures have ranged between 23F to a toasty 46F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 28F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15 mph below tree line from the W. At and above tree line winds are estimated at 30 mph from the NW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 100 mph from the NW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received a trace of 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 27F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 21-51F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 28F. Measurements in the atmosphere show temperatures 7 degrees cooler than yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: High pressure will make for nice conditions today. Warmer air will move in tomorrow along with clouds, followed by light precipitation Sunday night with the snow level starting at 8000 ft. and dropping to town on Monday night and Tuesday morning. High pressure will dominate most of next week with another system arriving Friday. For today we can expect sunny skies with temperatures warming into the low to mid 40's below tree line with light winds from the NW to NE and gusts from the NW on ridges. At and above tree line, temperatures will warm to the upper 20's to low 30's and winds 25-35 mph from the NW, slowing and becoming light tonight. On the upper mountain winds will be very strong in the morning at 100 mph from the NW and decreasing during the day as the jet stream moves easterly. By tonight and tomorrow morning winds will slow to 20-30 mph from the NW. Snow Pack: The snow pack has settled and strengthened significantly over the last week and half with spring-like weather. We only got a light dusting last night and cooler temperatures will have created a pretty firm surface in the morning hours. Ripping winds on the upper mountain are transporting snow to S and E aspects creating some small and thin wind slabs (not a lot of transportable snow available) which will be sensitive. Good corn conditions will develop this morning at lower elevations and move to wind protected mid elevations mid day. Climbers should be ready to go to McCloud or Burney to find their gear which the wind will blow away this morning, so stay low, especially during the first part of the day when winds will be strongest. 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: Our groomers plan to work on trouble areas today (3/8) between Pilgrim Creek and Deer Mnt. Warming temperatures will challenge the quality of the grooming later in the day. 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!