Welcome to the new look of the avalanche advisory. This past summer we had a series of meetings and negotiated a unified look-and-feel of the avalanche advisories and web pages for other avalanche centers in this region including Jackson, Wyoming, Sun Valley and the Sierra Avalanche Center. Eventually all these sites should look very similar and the plan is for Colorado to join the look next winter. In another week or two we expect to have two viewing choices for the advisory page--this basic view and the "advanced" view most are familiar with from last season with colored danger ratings in the aspect-elevation diagram.
We are still in the process of transferring the pages and content from our old website to the new site, so be patient. We are also tweaking the look and design so you may notice some changes. When everything is finished, it should all be pretty cool.
Winter is in full force across the Wasatch with astronomical water numbers over the past 6 hours. Precipitation, beginning as rain, and transitioning to 4-6" of heavy dense snow and graupel, has fallen across the range. These initial densities, roughly measured at 15-20%, are just what we need to build a good foundation and help to cover up the rocks, stumps, and deadfall. Temperatures are currently in the mid 20s though falling fast and models suggest the high alpine temps dropping to the low single digits by Saturday night into Sunday. Winds, of course, are howling - south and southwesterlies blowing 30-40mph with some gusts at 11,000' into the 80s.
None. This, of course, won't last long.
Click on Detailed Info above and All the Good Stuff to keep up to speed on Observations coming in....