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HERE.Over the last couple of days, two different fatal avalanche accidents have occurred in
CA and
CO. Our deepest condolences to the friends and families of these victims.
The Geyser Pass Road has not been plowed. Expect several inches of new snow on a dirt surface. Four-wheel-drive required.
The Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA) has plans to groom today.
24 Hour Snow 11" 72 Hour Snow 18" Base Depth in Gold Basin 78" Wind SW 10-15 G28 Temp 18F
Snowfall kicked in around 3:00 p.m. yesterday and mountain stations are reporting 10" in Gold Basin and 5" at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Expect cloudy skies and lingering showers today as a low-pressure system moves through the 4 Corners. 2"-4" of additional snow is possible. SW winds will average 5-10 mph with gusts to 20 along ridge tops. High temps will be in the mid to upper 20's. Winds shift to the NW tonight as the system moves on bringing dry and warmer conditions for the extended period.
Snowpack Discussion
18" of new snow has stacked up over the past few days which is certainly enough to create avalanche concerns. With 11" coming in over the past 24 hours be on the lookout for new snow instabilities on steep slopes on all aspects where the new snow may have formed a cohesive, soft slab. Look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface. In addition, southerly winds yesterday and overnight have loaded northerly aspects near and above treeline. Look for fresh, unstable drifts up to 2' deep on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features and avoid steep, wind drifted slopes.
Weak, faceted snow still exists near the ground and this new load may be enough to increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this buried, persistent weak layer. Deep and dangerous avalanches failing on weak facets are still being triggered in neighboring Colorado. You are most likely to trigger one of these avalanches in areas of steep, rocky terrain that has a thinner snowpack.
