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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Saturday morning, January 11, 2014

This is the real deal. We're talking... tree snapping, bone crushing, we're not coming home to our families at the end of the day kind of avalanches.

Terrain to avoid- steep, upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass, especially those in the wind zone with an easterly component to their aspect, where a HIGH avalanche danger exists. Both human triggered and natural avalanches are likely.

Go to terrain- If you're looking for LOW avalanche danger, head to wind sheltered terrain, especially those facing the south half of the compass where there are no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you're riding.

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Learn how to read the forecast here
Avalanche Warning

THIS AVALANCHE WARNING IS FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL UTAH, TO INCLUDE THE WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS. VERY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST THROUGH THE WEEKEND...AVOID BEING ON OR BENEATH STEEP MOUNTAIN SLOPES...AS AVALANCHES MAY BE TRIGGERED LOW ON THE SLOPE AS WELL.

Weather and Snow

Under partly cloudy skies, there's a break in the action this morning as the next potent system sets its sights on the region. Yesterday's punishing winds have mellowed somewhat and are currently blowing 15-25 mph out of the west-southwest. Temperatures are in the mid 20's and upper teens along the ridges. There's a lot of wind-jacked snow out there, but low angle, wind sheltered terrain with no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you're riding is the place to be.

Click here for current winds, temperatures, and snowfall throughout the range.

Click here for trip reports and avalanche observations.

Recent Avalanches

There was a brief window of visibility yesterday allowing for a view of some pretty spectacular slides.

Thanks to JG for these great photos of this monster, natural slide, on a heavily wind loaded east facing slope in Smith-Moorehouse. More on his obs from that area here.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
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Description

Yesterday's raging west winds were the great equalizer and the weak pre-existing snowpack was no match for the rapid wind loading. Fresh slabs formed everywhere, even getting down into terrain we normally consider sheltered. While the region most likely experienced a significant avalanche cycle, I think many slopes lay in the balance, suspended in time, just waiting for a trigger like us to come along and knock the legs out from underneath.

Make no mistake... our snowpack is sketchy and avalanche conditions are deceptively dangerous.This is the type of setup where most avalanche accidents happen in the western Uinta's because the snowpack will feel solid and strong underneath us. Complicating matters is the fact that you can trigger avalanches low on the slope or from a distance. Once initiated, today's slides will break deep and wide, creating an unsurvivable avalanche.

It doesn't mean you can't ride. It does mean you need to stay off of and out from under steep wind drifted slopes, especially slopes facing the north half of the compass.

Additional Information

Partly cloudy skies, warm temperatures, and increasing southwest winds are on tap this morning. Highs reach into the mid to upper 30's and southwest winds start cranking into the 30's and 40's by days end. It looks like there are two pieces to the next storm system. The first shot moves in late tonight, the second arrives early Sunday. 12"-18" of snow is a good bet. A cold moist and unstable flow prevails Sunday into Sunday night.

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]

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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.

I will update this advisory by 7:00 AM on Sunday Jan. 12, 2014

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