Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Through a generous donation by Backcountry.com to our partners the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center we will continue forecasting until April 24th. I will issue weekend updates for the Uintas through next Sunday. Thanks for all the great support!

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

At and above treeline, especially in the wind zone, along the leeward side of high elevation ridges, the avalanche danger is a Level 2 (MODERATE) and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep wind drifted slopes.

While isolated and hard to trigger, a Level 2 (MODERATE) danger exists for human triggered avalanches breaking to the January raincrust. Upper elevation, steep, rocky terrain facing the north half of the compass, should still be considered suspect.

The danger for wet avalanches on steep, mid and low elevation sun exposed slopes will increase from Level 1 (LOW) this morning to Level 2 (MODERATE) with daytime heating. Human triggered avalanches will be possible, especially during the heat of the day. With heating, cornices may become more tender, so be sure to steer clear of these huge overhanging boxcars.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

A mild and moist westerly flow over the region ushered in clouds overnight and temperatures remained warm, currently in the low to mid 30’s. South and southwest winds increased around dinnertime Friday and have been blowing 25-35 mph along the high ridges. Thursday’s quick hitting storm delivered 6”-8” of new snow on the North Slope and riding conditions remain quite good on high elevation north facing slopes.

RECENT ACTIVITY

Thursday’s storm created shallow soft slabs, sensitive to the weight of a rider on steep leeward slopes throughout the range.

Click here for recent observations from around the range.

THREAT #1
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Temperatures have been cool in the wake of Thursday’s storm and light powder can still be found in the high country. By late yesterday, winds were getting strong enough along the upper elevation ridges to form shallow, yet sensitive wind drifts on high elevation, leeward slopes. These new slabs might not be quite as sensitive today, but if you’re getting into steep radical or technically unforgiving terrain, triggering even a small wind drift could take you for an unexpected, body bruising ride. If you haven’t been out on the snow in awhile get a baseline for what kind of avalanche dragon you’re dealing with. Tweak small test slopes like road cuts which are similar in aspect, elevation, and slope angle to what you want to ride and see how they’re reacting before getting after the big terrain.

THREAT #2
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

I haven’t heard of any avalanches breaking deep into the January raincrust for several weeks now and I’d like to think we’ve finally turned a corner and can put this nemesis to bed. However, this is the time of year we start exploring, getting into steep, crazy terrain we only visit in the spring and my gut tells me steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass should still be considered suspect. While isolated, if you're getting into terrain that has these characteristics, carefully analyze the slope, your escape routes, and think of the consequences of triggering a deep, scary slide.

THREAT #3
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The sun is intense this time of year and strong spring sunshine rapidly changes the new snow into damp, manky, mashed potatoes. If the sun comes out for any length of time or if we experience a rapid warm up, the avalanche danger will increase accordingly. When you’re seeing roller balls cascading down the slope it means the snow is starting to heat up and it’s time to move to a cooler aspect. In addition, you may be able to trigger small wet avalanches when side-hilling on steep, lower elevation slopes. You’ll definitely want to avoid terrain traps like gullies and creek bottoms where the heavy, wet, bone snapping debris will pile up deeply.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A moist westerly flow camps out over the region through the week. Today you can expect partly to mostly cloudy skies with high temperatures reaching into the low to mid 40’s. Overnight lows hover near freezing. West and southwest winds will decrease throughout the day only to ramp up slightly late this afternoon and gust into the 40’s along the high peaks. A small shot of snow moves into the area tonight and Sunday, with a better system on tap for late Sunday through Tuesday.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Sunday, Apr.17th, 2011.

If you’re getting out and about and trigger an avalanche or see anything interesting please let us know here. Or drop Craig an email : craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170

The western Uinta advisory program is going full tilt and forecasts will be issued by 7:00 AM on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and all holidays.

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.