Equinox 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 81% 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 a thin layer of high clouds and light N winds in town this morning. It is currently 27F in Mt. Shasta City, 33F in Dunsmuir and 22F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 95 inches of snow on the ground at 7600 ft. with 1 inch of new snow over the last 24 hours and little settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 16F to 29F at 7600 ft. and it is currently 17F. Winds this morning are estimated at 10 mph below tree line from the SW. At 8000 ft. winds have averaged 16 mph from the W over the last 24 hours with gusts to 49 mph from the W. On the upper mountain winds are estimated at 35-40 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received 1 inch of new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We are measuring 84 inches on the ground at 6800 ft. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 18F. Temperatures at Castle Lake have been between 22-43F over the last 24 hours and currently it is 23F. We are measuring 101 inches of snow on the ground with 1 inch of new snow over the last 24 hours and 1 inch of settlement. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 6 degrees cooler than yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: A weak cold front has moved in and will bring partly cloudy skies today with little precipitation expected. Warmer air will move in Friday and Saturday with cool and wet weather expected late Sunday through the middle of next week. For today we will see temperatures below tree line warm to the upper 20's to low 30's with winds from the SW and W at 15 mph. At and above tree line, temperatures will warm to the upper teens to mid 20's with winds at 20-30 mph from the W. On the upper mountain temperatures will reach 5F with winds picking up to 60 mph from the WNW this afternoon and then decreasing to 40-45 mph tomorrow morning. Expect wind chill temperatures of -25F or colder. Snow Pack: Last weekends' snow has settled dramatically and has provided some good spring conditions at mid and lower elevations. With a thin dust of new snow on top of this, and cool temperatures today, the best conditions will be at lower elevations and in open sunny areas at mid elevations. Above tree line, west winds have built some small wind slabs on easterly aspects which, although small, could travel a good distance on the firm snow. These conditions will create mostly low avalanche danger today with pockets of moderate avalanche danger with small wind slabs mostly above tree line on steep easterly aspects. 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: On Tuesday (3/18) Stephens Pass was groomed and today (3/20) we plan to groom Trout Creek. 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 11 am and you can pre-register at the Fifth Season or sign-up on race day at the Ski Park at 10-10:30am. 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!