Saturday, March 10, 2001, 07:30 a.m.

Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah
Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather
advisory.  Today is Saturday, March 10, and its about 7:30 in the
morning.

Current Conditions:

An upper level low in southern Nevada has put northern Utah under a
moist easterly flow.  Overnight snow amounts include about 6 in the
Salt Lake and Park City mountains, with about half that in the Ogden,
Logan and Provo mountains.  Snow densities are around 9% at upper
elevations, with the rain/snow line near 7,000.  Winds have been light
overnight, less than 15 mph from the east.  Temperatures are in the
mid to upper 20s at 10,000, and near freezing at 7,000.

The addition of new snow will improve turning, riding and snow shoeing
conditions on all aspects, but dont be surprised if you still break
through the old surface crusts on some slopes.

Avalanche Conditions:

We have an unusual snow pack and unusual weather, so unusual and
strange avalanches may be possible today.  The storm has come in with
no real cooling of temperatures, so its adding both weight and heat to
the snow pack.  With faceted weak layers buried in the pack, both
natural and human triggered avalanches are possible today.

The greatest danger today will be near and below the rain/snow line.
Wet sluffs and slab avalanches will be likely on steep slopes at low
to mid elevations.  With natural avalanches possible, be observant of
what is above you in areas such as the Mill Creek road and steep low
elevations exits there is a potential to be hit from above by wet
slides.  Particularly avoid low elevation terrain traps such as snowy
gullies.

At mid and upper elevations, be watchful for wind loading and our
persistent deep slab instabilities.

The easterly ridge top winds are forecast to pick up in speed today,
averaging 20 to 25 mph by this afternoon.  With new snow available for
transport, soft slabs could develop rapidly in windy terrain, and it
will be possible for a person to trigger these fresh drifts on steep
slopes.

The potential for big deep slab avalanches continues today.  The
additional of weight of the new snow combined with a lack of cooling
may have once again stressed some of the deep weak layers in our
snowpack.  The most likely sort of spot to trigger a big slide would
be a very steep northwest, north, northeast or east facing mid to
upper elevation slope of about 40 degrees or more, especially near
rock bands and outcrops.  The danger may increase during the day due
to heating and additional loading.

Bottom Line:

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on and below steep slopes
below about 7500.  Natural wet snow avalanches are possible, and human
triggered avalanches likely.  On steep mid and upper elevation slopes,
the avalanche danger is MODERATE.  Sensitive new snowdrifts may
develop this afternoon, and there remains an isolated danger of
triggering a large, very dangerous deep slab avalanches on terrain
close to 40 degrees and steeper.

Mountain Weather:

Northern Utah will remain under a moist, easterly flow today.  Light
snow, with additional accumulations of 2 to 5 inches possible at upper
elevations.  The rain/snow line will be near 7,500.  The light
easterly winds will increase to 20 to 25 mph this afternoon.  Highs
will be near 30 at 8,000 and 25 at 10,000.  For tonight, occasional
snow showers, with another 2 to 4 inches possible.  Winds will shift
to the north, and average around 20 mph.  Lows near 20.  A cool moist
flow will remain over northern Utah through Monday, with snow showers
possible through out the period.

Other:

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service,
which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes
general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Ethan Greene will update this advisory by 7:30 on Sunday morning.