By Keith Potts 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 moderate "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 clear skies and calm winds in town this morning. It is currently 25F in Mt. Shasta City, 34F in Dunsmuir and 21F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring approx. 94 inches of snow on the ground at 7600 ft. with no new snow over the last 24 hours. Temperatures ranged between 16F to 38F at 7600 ft. and it is currently estimated at 16-18F. Winds this morning are calm below tree line and estimated to be 10 to 20mph above tree line from the west. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow with approx. 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We are measuring 83 inches on the ground at 6800 ft. The temperature at 7150ft. on Mt. Eddy this morning is 33F. The temperature at Castle Lake reached near 50F yesterday and is currently estimated at 24F. We are measuring 100 inches of snow on the ground with no new snow over the last 24 hours. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures nearly 10 degrees C. warmer in the lower atmosphere and slightly warmer in the upper atmosphere compared to yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: Beautiful spring weather will continue today as a high pressure ridge lingers in our area until being pushed east this evening. The first approaching system looks rather weak and will only bring increasingly cloudy skies Sunday and a slight chance of moisture on Monday. Wet and unsettled weather will be with us throughout next week. Today we will have sunny skies with clouds increasing this evening. Below tree line temperatures will warm to around 50F with some low elevation areas reaching higher than that. Winds will be fairly light from the SW to W to begin with, but will increase throughout the day in front of the approaching system. At and above tree line temperatures will warm to the mid 30's with winds 10 to 20mph from the W. On the upper mountain look for winds 20 to 30mph increasing to 40 to 50mph from the west by tomorrow. Snow Pack: Nearly perfect corn greeted many skiers and boarders on sun exposed slopes yesterday with temperatures just right to soften but not cook. Our only concern is the possibility of lingering small and thin wind slabs above tree line on SE/E and NE aspects. These areas will continue to stabilize today, but human or machine triggered slabs are still possible so remain cautious on recently wind loaded aspects. Elsewhere the snow pack shows good stability with no failures reported on recent stability tests. Some wet sluffs may be possible on steeper slopes at lower elevations today when warming temperatures, sunshine and light winds, 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!