Wasatch Cache and Uinta National Forests

In partnership with: Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center and Utah State Parks.

 

 

Avalanche ADVISORY

sunDAY April 17, 2005

 

Good morning! This is Craig Gordon with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory for the western Uinta Mountains. Today is Sunday, April 17, 2005 and it’s 7:00 a.m.

Today will be the last of my regularly scheduled advisories and this advisory expires in 24 hours. On Monday, I’ll post some tips on what you should look for when you’re out on the snow this spring.  

 

Announcements:

The Moffit Peak weather station is back in operation. This site was made possible through generous donations
from BRORA, The Utah Snowmobile Association, and the National Weather Service. You can view data by clicking here.

 

For recent avalanche photos click here.

 

Current Conditions:

A mild southwest flow will be over the area today. Even with clear skies last night, temperatures remained quite warm. Currently along the ridges it’s 33 degrees and down low at the trailheads it’s in the low 40’s. Winds are out of the west and southwest, blowing 10-20 mph at the upper elevations. Yesterday’s strong sun and warm temperatures about toasted any of the dry powder out there, but I bet if you snoop around there may be a patch or two left on the highest north facing slopes. On the other side of the compass, a good melt freeze cycle is underway and smooth supportable corn is probably the more reliable ticket this morning.

 

Avalanche Conditions: 

Last nights marginal refreeze will mean an end to the mostly stable snowpack we’ve been enjoying the past few days. The avalanche danger will be rapidly rising and today you’ll definitely want to get on and off the snow early. Most of the avalanche activity in recent days has been manageable and consisted of small wet slides. However, without a good solid snowpack refreeze, today’s avalanches could step down into weaker layers in the snowpack, creating a large wet slab. Temperatures, wind and cloud cover will play a role in how fast the snow heats up today, so keep a close eye on the weather. Also take a minute and assess slopes by quickly digging into the snowpack with your hands to see how saturated the snow is underneath what you’re riding. Remember, the strong April sun is effecting every aspect out there and north facing slopes aren’t immune to wet avalanches this time of year.

As the day heats up, you’ll want to get off of and out from under any steep sun exposed slope. While generally slow moving, wet avalanches can literally pile up tons of cement-like snow, especially in terrain traps such as gullies and steep road cuts. Even a small wet avalanche could easily slam you into a group of trees or flush you over a cliff, putting an immediate end to an otherwise good day.

 

Bottom Line:

The avalanche danger is generally LOW early this morning and will rapidly rise to MODERATE on all sun-exposed slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, with daytime heating. Human triggered avalanches will be possible as the day warms up. Depending on cloud cover, wind, and temperatures the avalanche danger may even rise to CONSIDERABLE during the heat of the day, meaning human triggered avalanches are probable, natural avalanches possible.

 

Mountain Weather:

The ridge of high pressure that’s been camped over the region for the past few days will break down and move east later today. This will allow a trough to slide into the area, bringing with it a chance of snow showers through about midweek. Today we can expect increasing clouds throughout the day and very warm temperatures. Highs at 8,000’ will be near 60 degrees and at 10,000’ in the upper 40’s. Overnight lows will be in the mid 30’s. Winds will be out of the southwest, blowing 15-25 mph along the ridges and should get stronger tonight. Monday through Wednesday will be cooler with highs in the lower 40’s and a chance of snow showers each day. High pressure returns for the end of the week.   

 

General Information: 

We’re interested in what you’re seeing especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. Call 1-800-662-4140, or 801-231-2170, or email to [email protected] or fax to 801-524-6301 and fill us in with all the details. 

If you’d like to schedule a free snowmobile specific avalanche talk and or a field day, please call 801-231-2170.

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.

Have a safe spring and summer.

Thanks for calling!