This is Chris Lundy of the Sawtooth National Forest Avalanche Center
 with your Backcountry Avalanche Advisory and Weather Forecast for
 Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 7:30 am.

 The Twin Falls District Bureau of Land Management & the Friends of the
 Sawtooth Avalanche Center bring you this advisory.

 Bottom Line:
 In the North Valley and Sawtooth Mountains the avalanche danger is
 estimated to be LOW, rising to MODERATE on sunny slopes with
 afternoon heating.

 In the South and Central Valley the avalanche danger is estimated to
 be MODERATE on all slopes. The snowpack in this region continues
 to show poor structure with a consolidated slab overlying layers of
 weak faceted snow.

 The avalanche danger on sunny slopes is expected to rise with warming
 afternoon temperatures and sunshine today. A strengthening facet/crust
 combination found on southerly aspects throughout our region remains a
 concern, and the potential for wet snow avalanches will increase
 during the heat of the day. Old wind slabs throughout our area should
 be approached with caution, especially where they are hard and
 supportable or have a hollow, drum-like sound.

 Primary Avalanche Concern:
 
 
 
 
 The snowpack in the South and Central Valley has a pronounced weak
 structure with a consolidated slab around 2 feet thick overlying weak
 facet layers. While the snowpack certainly has a dead feel to it,
 stability tests continue to show more reactivity than I would expect.

 With at least a couple key avalanche ingredients remaining intact, I
 definitely dont feel comfortable calling the avalanche danger in this
 region Low.

 In our Northern Mountains including the Salmon Headwaters and
 Sawtooths over the hill, the snowpack is generally deeper and better
 consolidated. On sheltered north aspects with a deep snowpack, it is
 hard to identify a significant weak layer. In steep, rocky, or alpine
 terrain, the snowpack may remain shallow and faceted at its base, and
 these areas should be approached more cautiously.

 Additional Snowpack Discussion:
 As afternoon temperatures climb today under clear skies, youll want to
 use increasing caution on south-facing aspects. A facet/crust
 combination buried around 2 feet deep remains a concern throughout our
 region, and sunshine combined with very warm temperatures may increase
 the instability of this layer. Also watch for increasing danger of wet
 snow avalanches this afternoon, especially at mid to lower elevations.

 One more note: use caution around old wind slabs that exist on a
 variety of aspects at upper elevations and especially in the alpine.

 Weve had a windy month and this has resulted in more and larger wind
 slabs than were use to. Especially in our southern area, some of these
 fat drifts are sitting atop weak, sugary snow. Use caution around any
 slab that is hard and supportable, or feels hollow beneath.

 Current Conditions:
 Yesterdays forecasted cloud cover dissolved quickly and mountain
 temperatures reached the low 30s. Ridgeline winds were fairly well
 behaved until early this morning when they began increasing at upper
 elevations. Currently theyre blowing 15-25 mph from the northwest on
 Titus Ridge, with much stronger winds on the peaks above Soldier
 Mountain and relatively light winds on Baldy. Temperatures this
 morning are in the low to mid teens at most elevations.

 Ok, now you want me to tell you where the good powder conditions are.

 Sorry, there are no secrets. Very sheltered, north aspects give you
 the best chance for soft snow, but if you find it consider yourself
 lucky. It may be worth investigating sunny aspects for something
 resembling corn.

 Mountain Weather Forecast:
 High pressure continues to build over our region, with nary a cloud
 expected in the sky today. Temperatures are forecasted to be several
 degrees warmer than yesterday, with upper elevations seeing
 temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s. Highs in the valley are
 expected to be in the low 40s. Winds along high elevation ridgelines
 should continue from the north at 15-25 mph before decreasing midday.