Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good Morning! This is Evan Stevens with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Tuesday, December 9th, 2003 at 7:30 A.M

General Conditions:

Powder, and lots of it. Somehow we managed to get 18”-24” of new snow from this storm, with multiple bursts of 2”-4” per hour. Look out for rocks in the previously exposed areas and with the late afternoon burst of snow expect some exciting 4WD to get you to the parking lots.

Mountain Weather:

Clear, crisp and beautiful out right now, with a low in the single digits. Light winds from the NE today with highs reaching about 30 at 9,600’. We should stay in this pattern for another day or two.

Avalanche Conditions:

The snowpack has been rapidly loaded and at a very critical weight with over 1” of snow water equivalent added to the game. Many upper elevation areas were quite bony and combined with the strong NW winds, the wind slabs of concern will be further down slope than you may expect. In the sheltered and shady locations faceted snow was quite persistent before this storm and will be ready to react to the weight of the new snow. The avalanche danger is MODERATE with pockets of CONSIDERABLE at and above treeline on NW-SE facing aspects steeper than 35 degrees. Below treeline the danger is MODERATE. Look for cracking and collapsing as signs of instability.

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

Wait a few days as the new snow will make things slow.

Public Announcements:

There will be an Avalanche Awareness talk for the Moab Winter Rescue team tonight at 7pm, with a volunteer/observer meeting to follow. Call us at the office for more info, 636-3363.

Safety Tip of the Day:

Always check the battery power in your beacon. Check your beacon and your partner’s beacon ranges at the trailhead to ensure they are working properly when the time comes.