UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon for
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
At mid and upper elevations, near and above treeline, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep wind drifted slopes, especially those with an easterly component to their aspect.
Any avalanche that breaks into deeper buried weak layers near the ground will result in a deep, scary, and dangerous avalanche.
If you're looking for LOW avalanche danger, simply head to lower elevation terrain or big open meadows with no steep terrain above or connected to where you're traveling.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
Clouds are streaming in from the south, bringing a chance for light snow to develop later this morning. Temperatures are in the low teens and southeast winds blow 15-30 mph along the high peaks. Riding and turning conditions are a bit hit or miss, but among the old tracks, sun and wind crusts, there's still plenty of cold, settled powder on wind sheltered, shady slopes.
Above is hourly data from Trial Lake (9,945') along with recent wind data from Windy Peak (10,662'). To view more regional weather stations click here.
A beautifully detailed pit submitted by JG who was in Smith-Moorehouse yesterday. His pit stability tests, failure on the early January snow which has faceted, confirm a suspicious layer to keep an eye on, especially as a series of storms sets its sights on the range this week. More on his travels are found here.
Meanwhile, Ted and I spent the day troubleshooting our weather station network on Lofty Lake Peak, where the views helped distract the biting sting of exposing glove-less hands to a tiny screwdriver and crescent wrench dexterity test... we failed miserably :(
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanche activity to report. However, on Sunday, Andy and Bo stomped around the south half of the range, noting a widespread, midweek avy cycle. The viddy above clearly illustrates a weak, midpack layer that lit up with last weeks big storm. With more snow, water, and wind slated for this week, it's a layer to to keep and eye on, especially as it gets buried deeper in our pack.
Check out their well documented and very detailed trip report here. Solid work men!
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
You'd think by now our persistent weak layer issues would be done... and in much of our terrain it is. And while it's been a week since the snowpack received a big thump of water, snow, and wind, it was exactly that combo that brought dormant, persistent weak layers back to life, particularly in terrain where the snowpack is thin and weak. Now here's the problem- "persistent weak layers" in the snowpack are a headache because all we need to do is find one weakness, maybe around a bush or rock that we can't see buried underneath the snow, collapse the pack, and now we've triggered a deep, dangerous avalanche. Another wild card to add to the deck is the possibility of triggering an avalanche low on the slope or from an adjacent slope.
So you're asking, "how do we manage an unmanageable avalanche dragon is the snowpack?" Well we simply avoid it and the usual suspects come to mind- steep, rocky terrain and slopes that have already avalanched this year. In addition, periphery terrain where the pack has remained shallow all season should be considered guilty until proven otherwise.
Chad was in a weak snow zone Saturday. His viddy clearly shows the setup.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
With a little snow in the forecast and winds expected to bump up later today, fresh drifts along the leeward of upper elevation ridges may start to develop towards days end. While I don't think these are gonna be particularly widespread or connected, I do think the Uinta's are a big place. So as always, be aware of changing weather conditions and also look for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.
Additional Information
A storm system to the south of us, moves through the region later today, delivering an inch or two of snow. Southeast winds gust into the 30's and 40's along the high ridges. Temperatures climb into the low 30's before dipping into the 20's overnight. A slightly better shot of snow is on tap for Wednesday, a break for early Thursday, and then a cold, wet, storm to round out the work week.
General Announcements
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Wednesday January 16th, 2019.
If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170
It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.
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.