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 partly cloudy skies with very light snow fall in town this morning and calm winds. It is currently 29F in Mt. Shasta City, 31F in Dunsmuir and 25F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 80 inches of snow on the ground below tree line with 3 inches of new snow over the last 24 hours and 1 inch of settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 19F to 31F at 7000 ft. and it is currently 20F. Winds this morning are estimated at 20 mph below tree line from the SW. At and above tree line winds are estimated at 35 mph from the WSW and on the upper mountain winds are estimated at 30 mph from the SW this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received 3 inches of new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We have 69 inches of snow on the ground. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 18F. Temperatures near Castle Lake have been between 16-34F over the last 24 hours and currently are around 17F. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 1 degree cooler than yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: Cold air and snow showers will continue today with the front well south of our area. The back side of the low pressure trough will approach this evening bringing strong N winds, especially on the upper mountain and they will continue through Sunday evening and decrease as the jet stream moves east. High pressure will bring warmer and drier conditions Sunday into Monday with unsettled and cool weather most of the week, but no major storms on the horizon. Today we will have snow showers with only 1 inch possible and the snow level 3500 ft. with no accumulation in town. Temperatures below tree line today will be in the mid to upper 20's and winds will be from the SW in the morning moving to the NW and N at 10-20 mph. At and above tree line temperatures will be in the teens to low 20's with winds moving from the W to the NW at 20-30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. Tonight winds will increase and move to the N at most elevations and NE at low elevations. On the upper mountain today winds will be 30-40 mph from the NW and increase tonight to 80 mph from the N. Wind chill on the summit today will be -36F. Snow Pack: We have a very well consolidated and strong snow pack with a dusting to 3 inches of new snow. "Dust on crust" will be best below tree line and in areas not affected by the wind. Small wind slabs will continue to form today on N and E aspects early, then loading will move to E and S aspects later today through Sunday evening. Although relatively small, these hard slabs will travel a fair distance on the firm snow pack above tree line. Watch for signs of wind loading and the transition in direction of wind loading today. Hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and watching the wind transport snow should be obvious clues to wind slabs and areas to avoid today. 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!