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 clear skies and calm winds in town this morning. It is currently 26F in Mt. Shasta City, 31F in Dunsmuir and 19F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 95 inches of snow on the ground at 7600 ft. with a trace to 1 inch of new snow over the last 24 hours and little settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 16F to 30F at 7600 ft. and it is currently 18F. Winds this morning are estimated at 15-20 mph below tree line from the W. At 8000 ft. winds have increased over the last 12 hours, averaging 21 mph from the W with gusts to 42 mph. On the upper mountain winds are estimated at 55 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received a trace to 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 19F. Temperatures at Castle Lake have been between 21-48F over the last 24 hours and currently it is 24F. We are measuring 101 inches of snow on the ground with a trace of new snow over the last 24 hours and little settlement. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures cooler in the lower atmosphere and warmer in the upper atmosphere compared to yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: We had a few snow flakes above tree line yesterday afternoon and today high pressure will build with warm air moving in later today and tomorrow. Our weather pattern will begin changing on Sunday when a low pressure trough begins to bring wet and unsettled weather throughout next week. Most of the storms, however will focus north of our area with no big storms on the near horizon. Today we will have sunny skies with a few clouds and decreasing winds and warming temperatures. Below tree line temperatures will warm to the mid 40's with some low elevation areas hitting 50F, and winds will be fairly light from the W, moving to the N and eventually the NE and E. At and above tree line temperatures will warm to the upper 20's to mid 30's with winds at 30 mph from the W, slowing to 15 mph later this morning and becoming light and variable by tonight. On the upper mountain winds will decrease to 40 mph this morning from the W and down to 20 mph this afternoon, moving to the NW tonight at 20 mph. Snow Pack: We had some "velvet" yesterday with 1 inch of new snow on top of a very firm base. I dug a snow pit yesterday at 8000 ft. on an east aspect and found an isothermal snow pack (same temperature top to bottom) with very firm and stable layers. During stability tests I couldn't get any failures, and finding the snow to be a "green light", it was a good day to "Ski the bold line..." as Gene would say. Some small and thin wind slabs still exist above tree line on SE/E and NE aspects, but they will become more stable over the next 48 hours with warming temperatures. Some wet sluffs will be possible on steeper slopes at lower elevations today when warming temperatures, sunshine and light winds warm the top 6 inches. Spring-like conditions can be expected today with some "velvet" in the morning at mid elevations and corn at lower elevations. 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 on 3/20, Trout Creek and Ash Creek were groomed. Today, 3/21, Deer Mnt. and Kramer Springs will be 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 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!