This is Chris Lundy of the Sawtooth National Forest Avalanche Center
 with your Backcountry Avalanche Advisory and Weather Forecast for
 Monday, January 21, 2008 at 7:30 am.

 Bottom Line:
 Today the avalanche danger is estimated to be MODERATE. Unstable
 snow is not widespread, but there are areas where it remains possible
 to trigger an avalanche. Strong winds from late last week formed wind
 slabs that may be poorly bonded to the faceted snow surface beneath.

 You could find these in a variety of locations, but especially along
 south through east facing ridgelines. Deeper facet layers are showing
 signs of strengthening, but given their track record I wouldnt
 entirely trust a slope where they can be found.

 Primary Avalanche Concern:
 
 
 
 
 Our recent clear and cold weather has formed a new crop of faceted
 snow on our snow surface, and in some places this has been buried by
 wind slabs that formed late last week. You are likely to find wind
 slabs along south through east facing ridgelines, but the nuclear
 nature of recent winds means that you could find them in a variety of
 locations. Now they are covered with a few inches of new snow so some
 detective work will be required.

 In the South and Central Valley south of about the SNRA, older facets
 can be found 1-2 feet deep. In the North Valley, Western Smokies, and
 Sawtooth Mountains, generally there are two facet layers of concern.

 The first can be found around 2-3 feet deep beneath the early January
 snowfall. The distribution of this layer is sporadic and may not be
 found on all slopes. The second facet layer is buried about 4-5 feet
 deep and is more widespread.

 Observations indicate that these deeper facet layers are gaining
 strength. Although they were never all that reactive to stability
 tests even when they were producing avalanches about a week ago, we
 are seeing more and more stability tests producing no failures at all.

 However, these layers have a long criminal record and Im not prepared
 to end their probation period just yet. Keep your guard up and avoid
 potential trigger points such as shallow areas and rocky terrain. The
 likelihood of triggering a slide is not very high, but bear in mind
 that the consequences would likely be severe.

 Current Conditions:
 A trace of snow fell yesterday afternoon and evening. Yesterdays few
 inches of new snow has improved sliding and riding conditions on
 sheltered slopes, but has masked other slopes with wind affected and
 sun crusted surfaces.

 Winds yesterday were light from the northwest and mountain
 temperatures reached the mid to upper teens. Currently temperatures at
 upper elevations are in the single digits, and its 13 degrees in
 Ketchum.

 Mountain Weather Forecast:
 A northerly flow aloft will continue the influx of cold air into our
 region, and mountain temperatures should only reach the single digits
 to low teens. The valley is expected to have a high around 20 degrees.

 Skies are forecasted to be partly to mostly cloudy, and ridgeline
 winds will remain light from the northwest, shifting to the northeast
 later today.