SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
 |
We now have three western Uinta specific weather stations up and running.
For Weber Canyon and upper Chalk Creek- Windy Peak (wind and temperature) and Giant Steps (snow depth and temperature)
For the region around Mirror Lake- Lofty Lake Peak (wind and temperature) |
|
|
BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
|
Danger Rose Tutorial
|
In mid and upper elevation terrain at and above treeline, the avalanche danger on steep wind drifted slopes is generally MODERATE this morning and human triggered avalanches are possible. With more snow and wind on the way, I’d expect the avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE. A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger means human triggered avalanche are probable and natural avalanches possible. It will be a day of changing weather and avalanche conditions, so you’ll need to be flexible with your travel plans and terrain choices.
Out of the wind the avalanche danger is generally LOW.
|
|
|
CURRENT CONDITIONS |
|
March Madness finally kicked in on the eastern front and a series of storms has been pounding the region. The latest storm reached the area last night and new snow started stacking up quickly around 8:00. Overnight, an evenly distributed 6” of new snow fell in most upper elevation terrain throughout the region. New snow totals since Monday morning are getting impressive with just over 2’ on the North Slope and about half that amount from Trial Lake southward. Currently, winds are blowing out of the northwest with hourly averages in the 20’s and gusts in the mid 30’s along the high ridges. Temperatures are in the upper teens at 10,000’ and in the mid 20’s at 8,000’. The riding and turning conditions are epic.
|
|
|
RECENT ACTIVITY |
|
No significant new avalanche activity.
Click here for a list of recent avalanche activity in the Uinta's.
For more photos of recent avalanche activity click here |
|
|
THREAT #1 |
|
| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Over the next
24
hours.
|
|
|
Like two kids fighting over the TV remote, winter and spring are struggling to see who’s really in control. Fortunately, the kid who wants to watch The Weather Channel is winning this battle and a potent winter storm is just a click away. With the transition from spring to winter we need to recalibrate our avalanche radar as well and get back into a cold snow groove. Today’s avalanche concerns are easy to detect and in the majority of our terrain, very manageable. Most of the instabilities are at the old snow/new snow interface. If you’re covering a lot of ground today or traveling from one drainage to another, remember- in terrain that received the lion’s share of the recent storm track, there’s plenty of light density snow to blow around and wind drifts along the leeward side of ridges are getting big enough to take you for a ride. Now here’s the wild card in the deck- in upper elevation shady terrain all this snow is stacking up on weak, sugary, near surface facets and they may become a player in the equation, especially if there’s a stronger slab overlaying this weak layer. If you’re feeling unsure about the snow you’re riding on, you can dig quick hand pits to see the layers. Better yet, tweak road cuts and observe how the snowpack is reacting to your additional weight. The avalanche danger is less pronounced in areas that received less than a foot of snow the past few days and in wind sheltered terrain.
By this afternoon, winds and snowfall are expected to increase in intensity and the avalanche danger will rise accordingly. If you’re getting a late start or planning a big day, carefully evaluate your terrain decisions, especially as the day wares on.
|
|
|
MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
|
Warm, pre-frontal moisture will stream into the area this morning before the main event gets going late this afternoon and continues through tonight. A few inches of new snow are expected today with daytime high temperatures reaching into the low 30’s at 8,000’ and mid 20’s at 10,000’. We can expect heavy snow and strong north and northwest winds to develop late in the day with gusts in the 60’s along the high ridges and peaks. As cold air filters into the region tonight, temperatures crash into the teens. I’d say we’re looking at a solid foot of snow overnight with scattered snow showers and cold temperatures on tap for Thursday. A break in the action Friday and Saturday with another cold system slated to impact the region Sunday.
|
|
|
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
Also, Beacon Basin is up and running and located inside the orange fencing on the northeast corner of the Nobletts Trailhead. In addition, Ted installed a Beacon Park in his neck of the woods, near the Bear River trailhead on the Evanston side of the range, so here's no excuse not to be practicing with your rescue gear.
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 Mar. 28, 2009. |
|
|
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. |
|
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. |
