US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

 Introduction:  Good morning, this is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory.  Today is Friday, March 10th at 7:30 am. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

To see past advisories check out the ARCHIVE.  To see current conditions go to our WEATHER PAGE.  To see photos go to the AVIPHOTOS page.

 

MLAC NEWS: We have started an observer page for folks to send us their backcountry observations. Report what you see in your backcountry travels HERE. Please send us your reports on avalanches, ski conditions, road conditions, snow pit profiles etc. Thanks! You can also report observations at 435-636-3363

 

The Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center, a partner with the USFS, would like to thank their business supporters for their donations.  They would like to thank: Grand River Electric, Moab Desert Adventures, Canyon Voyages, Vertical Hydraulics, With Gaia Design and Western Spirit for their support.  

 

  

General Conditions:

            We are under a WINTER STORM WARNING for today for the La Sal and Abajo Mountain ranges.  As of yesterday at 4:30 p.m., storm totals for the La Sal Mountains are 21”/53cm in Gold Basin and 18”/46cm at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.  These totals were measured just before yesterday afternoon’s thunderstorms.  With snow falling in Moab currently, you can expect these totals to be a bit larger already.  Last night the winds blew for over 8 hours at 30+ mph out of the South and South-Southwest.  For the first time this year, we are posting an AVALANCHE WARNING for the La Sal and Abajo Mountains.  

             The Grand County Road Department has been very busy for the past three days.  Thank them for the excellent job they have been doing.  Without their help, the La Sal Mountains would not be accessible.  Cross Country and Skate skiing conditions will be a work out today.  Yesterday there was some light snowmobile traffic up to Geyser Pass. 

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Periods of snow with areas of blowing snow, mainly before 5pm. High near 16. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 2. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Saturday: Periods of snow, mainly after 11am. High near 26. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Weather Station/ Location

Snow Depth (HS):  in./cm

New Snow (H24) in./cm

6:00 a.m. Temp (F)

Current Observations:  Wind, 48 hour snow

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link)

43” 

4”+

17.2

SNOW!

Geyser Pass

 ~

~

~ 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

148cm

4”+

~

Expect more snow up high 

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

7.7

Winds out of the SSW at 30 mph gust to 81 

 

Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the International Avalanche Danger Scale here)

           The winds have finally arrived in full force in the La Sal Mountains.  We have seen 8 hours of strong winds out of the South and South-Southwest overnight.  This wind event has tipped the balance towards failure in the form of avalanches.   Observations yesterday were of loose snow avalanches on steep North-East aspects.  Today, you can expect to see avalanche activity on North-East aspects and any cross-loaded slope in the range.  Soft slabs will be very tender and most of the activity will be during the current wind event.  An AVALANCHE WARNING has been posted with the National Weather Service. 

The BOTTOM LINE for today will be an avalanche danger of HIGH on steep (greater than 35 degrees) North-East aspects and cross-loaded slopes below, at or above treeline.   Today will be a great day to stay on lower angles slopes and out from the bottom of run-out zones of avalanche paths.       

 

We need your observations! Call 435-636-3363 or use the link near the top of the page to get to the observers page! Yes, DO IT!

Take a look at a snow pit from our tour on 01/15/06 here.