Thanks for showing your support at last night's fundraiser. You make the Utah Avalanche Center happen.
South winds picked up overnight, posting hourly average wind speeds in the upper thirties at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, and it's currently 27 degrees at 9700'. It's a balmy 36 degrees at the 8400' Tony Grove SNOTEL and there's 20 inches of total snow on the ground containing 66% of average water content for the date. With the widespread thin snow cover you'll probably want to stick to the roads, meadows, and smooth low angled terrain this weekend.
Shallow, very weak snow in the Steep Hollow Area will probably create dangerous avalanche conditions once significant snow stacks up on it. (12-3-2015)
Words of warning: Very shallow, early season conditions exist, and you are still likely to hit rocks or woody debris in most areas. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained in the winter for wheeled vehicles, and road conditions are icy, snowy, drifted-in and treacherous, so come prepared. The Tony Grove Area is a shared use area and very popular in the early season, so please watch your speed, use patience, and be respectful of other users. For easier access, Beaver Mt. allows uphill travel and appreciates early season users packing down the weak snow. Remember while the lifts are closed, the area is considered backcountry .
It's time to dust off and check the condition of your avalanche rescue equipment. Review and practice Companion Avalanche Rescue with our video..........HERE****
No avalanches were reported locally since November 20, when we picked up a foot of heavy snow containing 2.5 inches of water and several natural avalanches occurred, as well as one above the Tony Grove Campground, remote triggered by a skier which sympathetically released an adjacent pocket.
I could see evidence of some recent loose facet sluff activity in the Steep Hollow Area from earlier in the week. (12-3-2015)
