SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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Our third annual Avalanche Center fundraising ride is Saturday February 7th. Click here for more details. |
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BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
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Danger Rose Tutorial
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While deep dangerous avalanches which break into old snow near the ground are becoming more isolated events, a person could still trigger scary slides in steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain which has a shallow, weak snowpack. While a MODERATE avalanche danger exists in this type of terrain, think of the consequences of your terrain choices.
The danger of wet avalanches will increase to MODERATE on steep, sun baked slopes with daytime heating.
Most other slopes generally have a LOW avalanche danger. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Skies remained clear overnight as high pressure camps out over the region for one more day. Temperatures are in the low 20’s at 8,000’ and mid 20’s at 10,000’. Southeast winds began increasing late last night and are currently blowing 15-20 mph at most ridgeline locations, 25-30 mph along the high peaks. The snow surface is getting tired and could use a fresh coat of paint, but you can still find soft settled snow in wind and sun sheltered, mid elevation, shady terrain. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Several human triggered soft slabs in steep terrain occurred over the weekend near Mill Hollow, along with a natural cornice fall which pulled out a nice wind loaded pocket several feet deep on a steep, east facing slope above 10,000’in upper Weber Canyon.
For more photos of recent avalanche activity click here |
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THREAT #1 |
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| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24
hours.
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It’s been pretty quiet on the eastern front and folks have been out in full force the past few days, testing their snowpack evaluation skills and pulling on the dogs tail a bit. Where the snowpack is thick, it’s gained quite a bit of strength the past week and the chances of triggering a deep avalanche are becoming more isolated. However, should your travels take you into terrain where the pack is still shallow, say perhaps on the east side of the range, a person could still trigger a deep, scary avalanche which breaks into weak snow near the ground. You’d really have to hunt for this type of snowpack, but like Ted found yesterday in his snowpits, the structural setup remains in place. Steep, rocky terrain with a thin, weak snowpack would be a likely suspect. |
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THREAT #2 |
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| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24
hours.
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The sun is getting high in the sky and with another day of warm temperatures on tap, I’d expect the usual round of wet avalanche activity on steep sunny slopes with daytime heating. Remember to avoid terrain traps like gullies, where debris can pile up very deeply. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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High pressure is shifting east today and south winds will gradually increase this afternoon through Thursday as a Pacific storm moves into the region. Today we can expect mostly sunny skies and warm daytime high temperatures in the low to mid 40’s. Overnight lows will be near 24 degrees. Clouds thicken on Thursday with this system, bringing snow to the mountains Thursday night into Friday. Unfortunately, storm totals will be on the light side. Additional systems will keep a chance of snow going over the mountains at times through early next week. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Remember- your observations help to save other riders lives. So if you see or trigger any avalanches please let me know what your seeing. You can reach me at 801-231-2170 or craig@utahavalanchecenter.org
While it's quiet, now is a great time to schedule a free avalanche awareness class for your group or club. You can reach me at 801-231-2170 or craig@utahavalanchecenter.org for more details.
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted. I'll update this advisory by 7:00 am on Saturday Feb. 7, 2009. |
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. |
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This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:
The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list. |
