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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon for
Wednesday, December 26, 2012

New snow and gusty winds will bump the avalanche danger to CONSIDERABLE by late in the day. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep, upper elevation, leeward slopes.

A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in mid elevation terrain and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep wind drifted slopes.

LOW avalanche danger is found in low elevation, wind sheltered sheltered terrain.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements

It's never too late to give that special someone (or yourself) an avalanche class for the holidays. A couple of clicks and you are done - no standing in line or shipping. Check out the Snowmobile Avalanche and Riding Skills Workshop... an avy class designed by riders for riders. Click here for more details.

Weather and Snow

Yet another system is hot on the heals of Christmas storm and light snow began early this morning with just a dusting at 05:00. Temperatures are in the mid teens and southwest winds began blowing around 1:00 this morning with hourly averages in the 20's and gusts in the 30's and 40's along the high ridges. Excellent riding and turning conditions are found just about everywhere with mid elevation, wind sheltered terrain the hot ticket.

Recent observations can be found here.

Wondering why last winter was so crazy? Click here to watch the 2011-12 Utah Winter Review... an excellent recap of last years conditions.

Recent Avalanches

No significant avalanche activity to report.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Not much has changed in the overall scheme of things. While many slopes avalanched as a result of last weeks big storm, a lot of our steep terrain hangs in the balance waiting for a trigger to come along and knock the legs out from under the slab. Upper elevation, steep, rocky terrain facing the north half of the compass is the common denominator. The new storm snow will be light and fluffy and make us forget the inherently sketchy structure we're riding on. One thing is certain- once triggered, today's avalanches have the potential to break wide and deep, taking out the entire seasons snowpack, producing a very dangerous slide. Even if you're carving in low angle meadows be aware of steep slopes above or adjacent to where you're riding.

Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

This mornings gusty winds and new snow will whip up a fresh batch of wind drifts along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges. This mornings soft slabs are manageable, predictably breaking around your skis, board, or sled. As the day wares on and snow stacks up, avalanches triggered within the new snow have the potential to break into deeper buried weak layers as they crash down onto the slope below. This chain of events would quickly turn a manageable avalanche into something you didn't bargain for. Best to play it safe and avoid steep, wind drifted slopes.

Additional Information

It looks like an active couple of days for the Uintas. Snow should begin in earnest later today with close to a foot expected by tomorrow morning. Southwest winds gust into the 30's and 40's along the ridges early this morning, but should turn westerly and decrease throughout the day. Temperatures don't vary much throughout the day and overnight lows dip into the low teens. Another system slides into the area Thursday with similar snow amounts anticipated. High pressure builds Friday through the upcoming weekend

General Announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can call me directly at 801-231-2170, email [email protected], or email by clicking HERE

This is a great time of year to schedule a free avalanche awareness presentation for your group or club. You can contact me at 801-231-2170 or email [email protected]

Donate to your favorite non-profit –The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday December 29th.

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