the last official avalanche advisory for the year.*** 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 clear skies and N winds in town this morning. It is currently 26F in Mt. Shasta City, 34F in Dunsmuir and 17F in McCloud Valley. Mt. Shasta - We are measuring 93 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 13F to 28F at 7600 ft. and it is currently 13F. Winds this morning are estimated at 5 mph below tree line from the NNW. At 8000 ft. winds have been light from the SW and W over the last 12 hours, averaging 4 mph and gusting to 7-14 mph. Winds are currently 5-7 mph from the SW. On the upper mountain winds are estimated at 45 mph from the W this morning. Castle/Mt. Eddy - Mt. Eddy received no new snow and little settlement in the last 24 hours. We are measuring 82 inches on the ground at 6800 ft. The temperature on Mt. Eddy this morning is 12F. At Castle Lake we are measuring 96 inches of snow on the ground with no new snow over the last 24 hours and little settlement. Temperatures at Castle Lake have been between 12-33F over the last 24 hours and currently it is 15F. Measurements in the atmosphere this morning show temperatures 2 degrees warmer in the lower atmosphere compared to yesterday morning. Weather Forecast: Next 24 hours: The cold front will continue to bring cool temperatures to our area today with sunny skies and scattered clouds. Below tree line today temperatures will warm to the upper 20's to mid 30's with winds 10 mph from the NW-NE. At and above tree line temperatures will warm into the teens to mid 20's with winds 10-15 mph from the WNW. On the upper mountain winds will be 35-40 mph from the NW, increasing to 50 mph Monday morning from the NW. Today's wind chill temperature near the summit will be around -21F. Next 2-3 days: On Monday temperatures will warm a few degrees with continued nice weather. A cut-off low will move into central and southern California on Tuesday night with a chance for light precipitation in our area, but it looks to be focused well south of our area. Extended: A lot of uncertainty exists right now with weather patterns during the later part of the week, but I will guess that it will be relatively dry with potential for a small storm April 6-7. Snow Pack: Recent snow pits continue to show good stability with a very firm, isothermal, concrete snow base of melt/freeze wet rounds with a dusting of 1-4 inches of sintered rounds on the surface. Stability tests have leaned toward stable results with Rutschblock scores of R6-7. Failures only occurred in the top 1-4 inches and did not release easily or smoothly. Most areas are showing a strong snow pack with no weak layers. Some wind slabs which formed last week still exist on the upper mountain, mostly on E and S aspects, but these are isolated and require more force to fail every day. With Low avalanche danger the snow is generally stable with isolated areas of instability so general caution is still a good idea, watching for changes in the weather which affect the snow pack. Good conditions will continue today with a velvet to creamy snow surface in areas which haven't been wind scoured, mostly on S and E aspects above tree line and on most aspects below tree line. 2mm Rimed stellar snowflake 3/28/08 2mm rimed needle snowflakes falling 3/28/08 at Mt. Shasta. 2mm rimed stellar and needle snow flakes which fell on 3/28/08 forming the "velvet" 1-2 inch snow surface. 1-2 mm melt-freeze grains from 3/28/08 Mt. Shasta snow pack. 1+mm melt/freeze grains which form the bulk of the firm and stable Mt. Shasta snowpack on 3/28/08. 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 3/28 Pilgrim Creek to Deer Mnt. was groomed on the 19 road. *********************************************************************** ******************** A BIG thank you to all of you for your help and support this year with all the challenges I faced, especially to the Friends of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center and Snow Dog Engineering. Most importantly, I thank my wife and children for their patience and support with my early mornings, long work days and few breaks. Be safe out there! -EW *********************************************************************** ******************** 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 (3/30/08). Up-Coming Events: 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. This will run until the Ski Park closes for the season on April 13. 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. 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!