This is Chris Lundy of the Sawtooth National Forest Avalanche Center
 with your Backcountry Avalanche Advisory and Weather Forecast for
 Sunday, March 2, 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:
 Today the avalanche danger is estimated to be LOW. The snowpack
 throughout our region is generally stable. At mid to upper elevations,
 watch for shallow wind drifts along ridgelines and in exposed terrain.

 Temperatures may warm enough today at lower elevations to make wet
 slides possible on sunny aspects.

 Primary Avalanche Concern:

 
 

 

 

 Three weeks with no significant snowfall has given the snowpack a
 chance to stabilize. The snowpack in our northern area is fairly deep
 and well consolidated, while the snowpack closer to Ketchum and Hailey
 still has some depth hoar layers lurking near the ground. Plummeting
 temperatures yesterday will have locked up the snowpack on sunny
 aspects, decreasing the likelihood of wet snow avalanches today.

 Northwest winds overnight continued to transport the whopping inch of
 new snow some areas received yesterday. Any drifts that formed will
 likely be shallow and isolated, but as good stability lures sliders and
 riders into steeper and more committing terrain, kicking off even a
 small wind slab could knock you off your feet or machine. Watch for
 these drifts along mid to upper elevation ridgelines, and in exposed,
 alpine-type terrain.

 Temperatures in the upper elevations should remain cool today, but at
 lower elevations warmer temperatures combined with sunshine means there
 will be potential for small wet snow avalanches.

 Current Conditions:
 About an inch of snow fell yesterday in our northern mountains, except
 in the Northern Sawtooths where about 4 inches was reported. Ridgeline
 winds have been blowing 15-20 mph from the northwest with some gusts
 reaching the 30s and 40s. Temperatures over the past 24 hours have
 dropped 20-25 degrees at most weather stations, and this morning most
 mountain locations are in the single digits to low teens. Currently its
 around 18 degrees in the valley.

 Upper elevation, shady slopes continue to be the best bet for soft snow
 conditions. Corn conditions may happen today on some low to mid
 elevation slopes, but most sunny slopes up high will likely stay
 frozen.

 Mountain Weather Forecast:
 High pressure will move into the region today, but the cold air mass
 that pushed into the area yesterday will remain overhead resulting in
 colder temperatures. Today expect partly cloudy skies and mountain
 temperatures reaching the upper teens to mid 20s. The forecasted high
 in the valley is in the low 30s. Ridgeline winds will continue from the
 north at 10-20 mph before decreasing later tonight.