In partnership with: Utah Division of State
Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department
of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and
“keeping
you on top”
AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Wednesday,
December 20, 2006 7:30 am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with
the
Current Conditions:
Under clear skies,
temperatures have dropped into the toe numbing single digits at most locations. Winds shifted to the north, and are in the 15
to 20 mph range across the highest peaks, but are less than 10 mph elsewhere. Riding conditions are variable, with wind
damage and sun crusts on many open slopes, and good powder in the more shady, sheltered areas.
Snowpack and Avalanche Conditions:
No avalanche activity
was reported yesterday, and the snowpack is mostly stable. However, there are always a few things to watch
out for. With the overnight shift in wind
direction, the northerly winds will find additional snow to move, and a fresh
batch of wind drifts will develop along the higher ridgelines. These drifts may be sensitive on steep
slopes. Today’s much warmer temperatures
and mostly clear skies will heat the surface snow, and damp sluffs may get
moving on steep, sunny slopes, especially with a push from your board. Sluffs may also occur on very steep, shady
slopes in the recrystalized, surface snow.
And finally, be observant and keep
track of the weak mid pack and basal layers in the snowpack. While the chances a person could trigger a
deeper slide are minimal, knowing where the snowpack is shallow and weak will
be important information in the future.
Bottom Line for the
The avalanche danger
is generally LOW today.
There are pockets of MODERATE danger on slopes
steeper than 35 degrees with drifts of wind blown snow, and the danger may rise
to MODERATE on steep, sunny slopes with daytime
heating.
Mountain Weather:
High pressure is
building in over the area for today and Thursday. Skies will be clear this morning, with some
mid elevations clouds developing this afternoon. Winds will remain from the north, in the 10
to 15 mph range, with slightly stronger speeds across the highest terrain. Temperatures will warm into the low thirties
at 8,000’ and in the mid 20’s at 10,000’.
The next splitting Pacific storm system will reach northern
Announcements:
The Wasatch Powderbird Guides will most likely be in northern powder circuit
today, including
Listen to the
advisory. Try our new streaming audio or
podcasts
Our new,
state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.
(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)
For a list of avalanche
classes, click HERE
For our classic text
advisory click HERE.
To sign up
for automated e-mails of our graphical advisory click HERE
We appreciate any snowpack
and avalanche observations you have, so please leave us a message at (801)
524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at [email protected].
(Fax 801-524-6301)
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.
Brett kobernik will
update this advisory by 7:30 on Thursday morning, and thanks for calling.