Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good morning! This is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today Monday, November 24, 2003 at 8:30 A.M.

General Conditions:

The cold temperatures are remaining in place here in Moab. Currently we are under partly cloudy skies and the winds calm. The temperature in Moab is 14.0 degrees and Geyser Pass trailhead is at 16.0 degrees. There was 72 cm of snow on Julies Backside yesterday, the snow is cold on the surface, extra blue wax or green could be the call today. We still have 24” at the bottom of the Northwoods and the GPTH has 17”. The road conditions to the trailhead are icy down low and snow packed once you turn towards GPTH, good news is that the road crew will be out this afternoon!

Mountain Weather:

The cold air will remain in place through the rest of the week with the best chance of a warm up coming on Turkey day. The next system is going to stay to the north of us, leaving us dry with a slow warming trend throughout the week

Today: Partly Cloudy and cold, Highs in the low 20’s, wind light out of the WNW.

Tonight: Winds light out of the W/NW, lows in the teens.

Tuesday: Cold Continues, slight chance of snow Wednesday morning.

Avalanche Conditions:

Went out yesterday to check on the conditions in the backcountry. It was a beautiful blue sky powder day. The cold air has played havoc on our snow pack…I found very easy shears under a sun crust on rimed crystals on Northerly aspects. On southerly aspects, the warm weather that preceded this storm help with stability, and there is a good six inches on top of a 2cm crust that should make for some good skiing. I saw no signs of any natural activity. Our hazard rating for today: LOW Below Tree line on SE-NW aspects, MODERATE on N-SE aspects. At and Above Tree line: MODERATE on steep, wind loaded slopes and all Northern aspects. Remember, ski from safe zone to safe zone, all eyes on the one person on the slope.

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

If you like classic Nordic skiing, today and the rest of the week is a great time to get out. No snowmachine travel and a couple great tracks are set. Skate skiers definitely have their work cut out for them.

Public Announcements:

This announcement will be updated after Friday. We need volunteers and observers!!! The more eyes we have, the better this advisory can be…If interested call us at 259-SNOW, leave a message after the advisory. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

MF