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 78% 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 with widespread avalanche activity. 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 cloudy skies and calm winds in town this morning. It is currently 32F in Mt. Shasta City, 34F in Dunsmuir and 27F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 92 inches of snow on the ground at 7600 ft. with no new snow over the last 24 hours and little settlement in the snow pack. Temperatures have ranged between 9F to 28F at 7600 ft. and it is currently 22F. Winds this morning are estimated at 20 mph below tree line from the SW. At 8000 ft. winds were light yesterday, but have picked up over the last 12 hours, averaging 17 mph from the W and gusting to 35 mph. Winds are currently 28-35 mph from the W. On the upper mountain winds are estimated at 55 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow and 1 inch of settlement in the last 24 hours. We are measuring 81 inches on the ground at 6800 ft. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 26F. At Castle Lake we are measuring 96 inches of snow on the ground with no new snow over the last 24 hours and 1 inch of settlement. Temperatures at Castle Lake have been between 12-37F over the last 24 hours and currently it is 28F. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 5-10 degrees warmer in the lower atmosphere compared to yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: We are at the bottom end of a storm centered off the Washington/BC coast. This system is moving from the west which is less favorable for precipitation in our area, but we are expecting around 2 inches at mid elevations by tonight, beginning later this morning. The snow level will be around 4000 - 4500 ft. today and drop below town tonight. The Trinity Alps will see a little more snow fall as well as the Lassen and northern Sierra. We will have a break and cool temperatures through the weekend with a storm hitting central California late on Tuesday. Below tree line today, temperatures will warm a few degrees to the upper 20's and low 30's with winds up to 20-30 mph from the SW, slowing tonight to 5-10 mph and moving to the NW to NE by tomorrow morning. Above tree line, temperatures will warm to mid 20's with winds from the W at 35 mph, gusting to 45 mph. By tomorrow morning, winds will decrease to 25 mph from the NW. On the upper mountain today, winds will increase to 65 mph from the W with wind chill temperatures around -25F. Snow Pack: Although we are not expecting much out of this storm, steady winds will transport snow and build small to medium wind slabs on N/NE/E/SE aspects. This will occur at all elevations, but especially above tree line where the winds will be stronger. These slabs will be sitting on a firm and dense snow pack and will travel far when fractured. The best conditions today will be later in the day below tree line and in areas not affected by the wind. By tomorrow morning winds will transport snow to E/SE/S 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: No grooming has taken place this week. Today (3/28) we plan to groom from Pilgrim Creek to Deer Mnt. on the 19 road. 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!