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 84% 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 light snow fall in town this morning with light winds. It is currently 34F in Mt. Shasta, 35F in Dunsmuir and 32F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 78 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with a trace of new snow over the last 24 hours and little settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 21F to 39F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 23F. Winds this morning are estimated at 25-30 mph below tree line from the SW. At and above tree line winds are estimated at 40 mph from the WSW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 50 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received a trace of new snow and little settlement in the last 24 hours. We have 67 inches of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 23F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 26-43F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 28F. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 2 degrees cooler than yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: A cold low pressure from the Gulf of Alaska will bring snow showers today and Saturday. High pressure will build on Sunday into Monday with a weak storm on Tuesday and cool and unsettled air on Thursday. For today we can expect snow showers with the snow level around town. At mid elevations, we will see 3-4 inches of snow fall over the next 24 hours with temperatures in the upper to mid 20's below tree line and in the teens above tree line. Winds below tree line today will be 30 mph from the SW, decreasing to 20 mph later today. Above tree line, winds will be 30-40 mph from the WSW today, decreasing tonight to 20-30 mph from the WNW. On the upper mountain today winds will be 50 mph from the W and slow down tonight to 20-30 mph from the W. Snow Pack: We have a very well consolidated and strong snow pack which is now receiving a dusting of snow with a few inches accumulating over the next 36 hours. "Dust on crust" will be the saying later today and Saturday. Small wind slabs will continue to form today on N/NE/E and SE aspects. Although relatively small, these hard slabs will travel a fair distance on the firm snow pack above tree line. With moderate winds and shallow snow pack above tree line, 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. On 3/13 Trout Creek was groomed. 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. Up-Coming Events: Beacon Basin, a transceiver training area, is set up at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park. Check with Ski Patrol to use this training area; quiet weekdays are best. Photo of the Mt. Shasta Beacon Basin at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park. Photo of Pro Patroller training with an avalanche beacon at the Mt. Shasta Beacon Basin, Mt. Shasta Ski Park. Come train at the Mt. Shasta Beacon Basin! Road info: Castle Lake road and the Everitt Mem. Hwy. are open. Castle Lake road is narrow! 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!