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 85% 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 fog and clouds in town this morning with light winds. It is currently 41F in Mt. Shasta, 40F in Dunsmuir and 39F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 78 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with around 1 inch of new snow over the last 24 hours and 1 inch of settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 32F to a toasty 50F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 33F. Winds this morning are estimated at 25 mph below tree line from the WSW. At and above tree line winds are estimated at 35 mph from the W and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 75 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received around 1 inch of new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We have 67 inches of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 31F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 26-52F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 33F. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 5 degrees cooler than yesterday morning and a strong jet stream from the W (116 knots). Weather Forecast: A cold low pressure from the Gulf of Alaska will begin moving in today bringing cold air and lowering snow levels. Wet weather will continue through Saturday with high pressure building Sunday followed by more wet and unsettled weather early next week. The westerly motion of the system today is not very favorable for precipitation in the Mt. Shasta area but it looks like we will see another inch of snow fall at mid and upper elevations over the next 24 hours with the snow level starting at 5500 ft and decreasing to 2500-3000 ft. by tomorrow morning. Winds will be mostly out of the W today, reaching 10-20 mph below tree line, 30-40 mph at and above tree line, and 80 mph on the upper mountain. By tomorrow morning, winds will move to the WSW at most elevations and WNW at upper elevations. Snow Pack: We have a dusting of new snow on a very well consolidated snow pack with moderate to strong winds building wind slabs on easterly aspects above 6000 ft. Above tree line, wind slabs will be 1-3 feet thick, but generally small. These will be fairly sensitive to failure and will be able to travel long distances above tree line. Most other areas will be fairly stable today with only a dusting of new snow on the solid snow pack underneath which is well bonded at mid and lower elevations as the storm came in warm. The best conditions today will be below tree line in areas not affected by the wind. 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: Pilgrim to Deer Mnt. 3/8. On 3/11 Deer Mnt to Ash Creek Butte, Kramer Springs Loop to Pilgrim Creek was groomed. Today (3/13) they plan to groom to Deer Mnt. Thanks to the Mt. Shasta Ski Park & Ski Patrol, Backcountry Access, Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center and the Forest Service for great Beacon Basin days this season at the Ski Park! Ski Patrol training with an avalanche beacon at the Mt. Shasta Beacon Basin, 3/8/08 Ski Patrol training with an avalanche beacon at the Mt. Shasta Beacon Basin, 3/8/08. Pro Ski Patrol, Jenn Carr, trains with her avalanche transceiver at the Mt. Shasta Beacon Basin, March 8, 2008. 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!