Sunday - February 17, 2008 - 6:51 am

SUMMARY >>>

The avalanche danger is generally LOW.  There are pockets of MODERATE
danger along the upper elevation ridgelines and in open bowls where a
few new and old wind drifts could be triggered on steep slopes.  It's
an outlier, but the avalanche danger may rise to MODERATE on steep
sunny slopes with afternoon heating.
Forecaster: Drew Hardesty

CURRENT CONDITIONS >>>

A clipper to the northeast is responsible for the bump in winds and
the shroud of mostly cloudy skies over the Wasatch this morning - both
of which should relax and dissipate as the disturbance moves out of
the area.   Temperatures are in the low teens at 10,000' and the upper
teens at 8000', and while the highest anemometers are showing 35-45mph
northwesterly winds, more representative wind speeds are 20-25mph.
Snow surface conditions are a mixed bag of wind and suncrusts, with
perhaps the best soft snow found on the shady protected slopes.

RECENT AVALANCHES AND SNOWPACK INFO >>>

The snow pack is mostly stable, and avalanche concerns focus on the
few shallow drifts found at the highest elevations.  A couple reports
came in from high on Box Elder and Thunder Bowl of some shallow
pockety drifts, easily triggered in steep, east facing terrain.
Sluffing continues in the weakening surface snow, and both problems
are easily mitigated with the usual bag of tricks.
Recent clear skies and moderate to cold temperatures have promoted
surface hoar development and faceting of the snow surface, both
potential players when the next storms roll in around mid-week.
Apparently I was taking too long looking at some of the grains under
the hand lens yesterday when a colleague asked, `what, are you trying
to watch the facets grow on that there crystal card?'  Watching me
look at crystals was like watching grass grow or paint dry.  The fact
was, though, that the cloud cover was likely stalling out some of the
faceting for the time being, but let's keep an eye on these, and the
myriad facet/surface hoar-crust combinations over the next few days.

AVALANCHE CONCERNS >>>

If you're traveling along the highest ridgelines today, don't be
surprised by some new shallow soft slab development from the stronger
northwesterly winds.  They'll again be pockety, less than about 6-8"
deep and perhaps 30-50' wide at most.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER >>>

With a system moving off to the northeast, skies should soon clear and
it'll be a pleasant day in the mountains.  West to northwest winds
will drop down to 20-25mph, and temperatures will be in the upper
teens.  High pressure builds in for Monday and Tuesday with the first
in a series of westerlies due to arrive Wednesday afternoon.