This is Janet Kellam of the Sawtooth National Forest Avalanche Center
 with your Backcountry Avalanche Advisory and Weather Forecast for
 Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 7:30 am.

 The Sawtooth Society in partnership with Idaho's SNRA Mountain Goat
 license plate program & the Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center
 bring you this advisory.

 Bottom Line:
 Today the avalanche danger is estimated to be LOW in most
 locations. There is a MODERATE danger of triggering wet slides in
 isolated areas at low elevations.

 A fast moving storm should bring small amounts of precipitation with
 rain and snow on the valley floor, snow up high. Expect cooling
 temperatures and gusty winds by afternoon. Throughout the day watch for
 shallow wind slabs developing along exposed ridgelines at upper
 elevations. At low elevations watch for wet loose snow on very steep
 slopes.

 Primary Avalanche Concern:

 
 

 

 

 Low Elevations: Very warm temperatures yesterday, only a light refreeze
 at low elevations in some areas and an expected mix of rain and snow
 leaves us with a wet snowpack in some locations. The rain/snow line
 will initially be below 6,500ft before dropping to 5,000ft. Although
 not a huge concern, it will be possible to trigger shallow, wet loose
 slides where this condition is found on very steep slopes, especially
 in rocky terrain. If the snow is wet mush more than a few inches deep,
 wet sluffs and slides are possible.

 Yesterday, some small triggered and natural wet sluffs were observed
 but none were reported digging deeper into the snowpack. There is a
 chance of deeper slides happening in very weak snow areas at low
 elevations but I dont expect to see much of that today. By tomorrow
 temperatures will be much cooler.

 Secondary Avalanche Concern:

 
 

 

 

 Mid to Upper Elevations: At mid to upper elevations we have developed a
 stronger, more supportive snowpack. Especially in the North Valley,
 Sawtooth and Smoky Mountains. Isolated weak areas do exist in wind
 exposed terrain. Some upper elevations show warm overnight temperatures
 but did have a decent refreeze, and will cool throughout the day as the
 storm moves through. The main avalanche problem here will be new wind
 slabs forming. Strong winds and several inches of new snow, (if we get
 it), will develop shallow wind slabs in exposed areas. These wind slabs
 will most likely be small and not be a problem, but they do warrant
 watching out for.

 Current Conditions:
 North facing slopes continue to offer decent settled powder conditions.

 Surface hoar and small grained faceted snow has developed on the snow
 surfaces and bears noting for future concerns if it stays intact as new
 snow accumulates.

 Spring like snow and corn snow was happening yesterday, but will only
 show up at low elevations with our rain and snow mix today.Tonights
 cold temperatures and a decent day tomorrow could bring more spring
 conditions. A variety of crusts exist on aspects wrapping out of full
 shade or full sun exposure.

 Yesterdays breezes kept temperatures cooler than forecast at upper
 elevations and not much above freezing, but sheltered locations
 throughout our region posted temperatures in the 50s, including
 Stanley, Banner Summit and out the East Fork. This morning temperatures
 range from 28 degrees at 10,000ft to 35 degrees on Baldy and Galena
 Summit with mid thirties or cooler in most other locations.

 As of 7AM the storm has not come though our region but winds have
 increased blowing 15 to 25mph from the southwest gusting 30 to 40mph.

 We may not get much in the way of precipitation but we will get the
 wind and cooling temperatures.

 Mountain Weather Forecast:
 March promises to come in like a lion today with this fast moving storm
 bringing a mix of rain and snow to the valley floor and up to a few
 inches of snow in the mountains. Gusty winds accompanied by colder
 temperatures and even the chance of a thunderstorm will round out the
 day.

 Initially winds will be out of the southwest, shifting northwesterly as
 the front moves eastward this afternoon. Daytime highs will be this
 morning, expect close to 30 degrees at upper elevations and mid
 thirties to 40 degrees on the valley floor before cooling this
 afternoon and reaching the teens by tonight.