Saturday - March 1, 2008 - 7:01 am

SUMMARY >>>

The avalanche danger is mostly LOW this morning, with a MODERATE danger
on any steep slope with drifts of wind blown snow.  The wind drifts
will become more widespread late this afternoon after it starts to
snow.  Cornices remain sensitive, and could break back further than
expected, and stay off any steep slope where the snow becomes wet and
sloppy.
Forecaster: Evelyn Lees

CURRENT CONDITIONS >>>

Skies are partly cloudy this morning, and the southwesterly winds are
racing across the peaks.  30 to 45 mph averages are common, with gusts
in the 50s and 60s.  The strong winds have wiped out the inversion, so
temperatures cool with elevation, from the upper 40s at 6,500 down into
the low 30s at 11,000.  Soft, recrystalized powder exists on sheltered
shady slopes, providing enjoyable turning and riding conditions if you
can find untracked shots.  Short windows of corn like conditions may
occur if theres enough sun to soften the supportable crusts.

RECENT AVALANCHES AND SNOWPACK INFO >>>

The only reported avalanche activity Friday was from the Ogden area
mountains, where the afternoon shift triggered numerous long running
wet sluffs on south and southeast facing terrain south of Snowbasin
during a late foray.

AVALANCHE CONCERNS >>>

Today, fresh drifts created by the strong winds will be the main
avalanche concern.  While the winds dont have much loose snow to work
with, the speeds are high enough that theyll manage to find some snow
to blow around.  The drifts that build on top of the recrystalized snow
and surface hoar on the shady slopes will be the most sensitive.
Later this afternoon when the front comes through, the drifts will
become deeper and more widespread.

There are also a few heat related concerns today.  With the recent
warmth, the cornices are slouching like teenagers, and could break back
further and more easily than expected.  Also, the warm, soggy low
elevation snow pack may get a brief shot of rain, so be careful to
avoid any of the abundant low elevation terrain traps such as gullies
where snow from wet sluffs could pile up.  The combination of wind and
clouds should keep the steep sunny slopes from heating up, but if you
find yourself in a place where the snow is getting wet and sloppy, get
off the steep slopes and move to cooler terrain.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER >>>

Today there will be alternating bands of clouds and sun ahead of the
approaching cold front.  Timing for the front is about 2 to 3 pm for
the Salt Lake mountains, with areas to the north ahead by and hour or
so, and the Provo mountains an hour later.  A short burst of intense
precipitation and lightning is possible with frontal passage, and storm
totals should be in the 4 to 8 inch range.  The southwesterly winds
will continue to be in the 20 to 30 mph range with gusts in the 50s and
60s at most elevations, and faster across the higher peaks.
Temperatures will remain above freezing most of the day, falling behind
the front into the low teens by Sunday morning.  Partly cloudy on
Sunday, with a few snow showers, then rapid warming on Monday ahead of
a very weak Tuesday/Wednesday disturbance.