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: Our weather stations are back up! We have mostly clear skies with a trace to 1 inch of new snow and moderate N winds in town this morning. It is currently 32F in Mt. Shasta City, 38F in Dunsmuir and 31F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 98 inches of snow on the ground at 7600 ft. with 1 inch of new snow over the last 24 hours and 3 inches of wind scouring and settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 13F to 23F at 7600 ft. and it is currently 13F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15 mph below tree line from the N. At 8000 ft. winds have averaged 10 mph over the last 24 hours with gusts to 50 mph from the NW. On the upper mountain winds are estimated at 65-100 mph from the N this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received 5-6 inches of new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We are measuring 91 inches on the ground at 6800 ft. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 18F. Temperatures at Castle Lake have been between 20-32F over the last 24 hours and currently it is 21F. We are measuring 107 inches of snow on the ground with 2 inches of new snow over the last 24 hours and 1 inch of settlement. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 2 degree cooler than yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: High pressure will continue to build today with strong N winds and temperatures warming a few degrees Sunday. Cool and wet weather is expected over the next 1-2 weeks. Today: Expect partly cloudy skies with strong N winds. Below tree line temperatures will warm to the mid 30's and NNE winds will continue at 15-25 mph during the first part of the day, decreasing to 10 mph this afternoon and evening. Expect gusts to 30+ on ridges below tree line. At and above tree line temperatures will warm to the mid 20's with winds at 30-35 mph from the N and NNE most of the day - Expect gusts to 50 mph. On the upper mountain winds will continue from the N at 50-65 mph with gusts to 100 mph during the first part of the day. 72 hour trend: Winds will slow down and move to the W and temperatures will warm a few degrees. Clouds will increase Monday afternoon with only light precipitation through Tuesday. A wetter storm will arrive Wednesday into Thursday. Snow Pack: "Dust on Crust" conditions were great yesterday, but things started changing dramatically in the late afternoon when winds began to transport snow. Although we only received around 3-6 inches of new snow over a 3 day period, winds will build slabs up to 3+ feet thick. These hard wind slabs will be sitting on top of our well consolidated and very firm base and shooting cracks and releases will be found today on wind loaded southerly aspects for those willing to venture into wind. Again, the best conditions today will be below tree line on slopes not affected by the wind. Avoid wind loaded slopes, looking for obvious clues like hollow sounds and shooting cracks. With strong winds, some of these small to medium sized slabs will form on southerly aspects mid slope below ridges. 72 hour trend: Stability will begin improving slowly tonight through Tuesday as winds decrease, but wind slabs should still be avoided. A patchwork of hard wind scoured areas, hollow sounding wind slabs, and ankle deep powder will be with us over the next few days. Watch for slowly increasing avalanche danger on Wednesday when the snow begins to fall again. 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. 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. Road info: Castle Lake road and the Everitt Mem. Hwy. are open. Up-Coming Events: Saturday, March 29: The Flying Squirrel Classic (see poster on home page), a fun race put on by The Fifth Season as a benefit event for Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center. The race is at 1 pm and you can pre-register at the Fifth Season or sign-up on race day at the Ski Park at 10am. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, fastest times for men and women and telemark and randonee. Join us for fun! 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. 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. 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!