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 Sunday, March 11th, at 8:00 AM. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW GROOMING EQUIPMENT HERE.

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.

Please give us your observations from the field HERE. The more observations we get, the better this forecast can be.

General Conditions:

As the sun rises today to greet the advent of daylight savings time, a weather pattern grips the region that will make it feel like spring. A warm, dry weather pattern will persist over the region for at least the entire week. I would expect the corn cycle to begin for great spring skiing and Melt-freeze conditions to really take hold on the sunny side slopes. Its time to get up early, get up high and work the sun.

The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is in good shape.

The entire cross-country ski course was groomed by L.U.N.A. volunteers Friday. Enjoy!

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northeast wind around 15 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Weather Station/ Location	Snow Depth (HS): in./cm	New Snow (HN) in./cm	7:00 a.m. Temp (F)	Current Observations: Wind, 48 hour snow
Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link)	26”	~	33	Crusts
Geyser Pass	55”	~	N/a	Consolidated Powder
Gold Basin and South Mountain	55”	~	n/a	Consolidated Powder
Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)	N/a	N/a	19.7	12 mph gust to 34 from the NE

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

The change over to spring is happening in the La Sal mountains these days and the variability of the snow pack reflects this. We have spring conditions on sunny slopes but are maintaining dry snow and winter conditions on shady NE-N facing upper elevation slopes. The two major concerns for the La Sal Mountains will be on either side of the compass. First, at mid-elevation slopes on N-NE aspects, the snow pack has weaknesses in the mid-pack and near the ground. Because there are numerous trigger points in this region and a shallower snow pack, human triggered avalanches will be possible. Ski cutting areas of concern could save you from a unsuspecting ride with bad consequences. I also believe that if you want to ski in this hairy, variable area with numerous ground hazards, you can manage it properly. The second concern is with the warm-up associated with the sun. As the day progresses, the snow on South through West aspects will lose cohesion and present roller-balls and point releases to show this. If you start punching through to the ground, get off these slopes. Unfortunately, time is running out to hit these corn-fields. This week of warm weather may burn off your favorite slopes on these aspects completely.

As a result of these concerns, and the ability to manage them, the BOTTOM LINE for today will be an avalanche danger MODERATE. Solid travel techniques and continued observations throughout day will be your best tools.