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 is Tuesday, December 16th, 2003 at 8:30 A.M

General Conditions:

This is the calm after the storm. Can you believe that 32” of snow has fallen in the La Sal Mountains in the past seven days? You better believe it! Currently, in Moab the temperature is 14F and the winds are calm, while up at Geyser Pass Trailhead it is 5.5F and there is 35” at the snow stake. Up in Gold Basin, there is 41” at our snow stake and we received 14” of new snow! (Settled) And amazingly, our Pre-Laurel Peak weather station is miraculously working. It is reading a temperature of 7.0F with winds out of the NNW at an average of 15 mph. The road to the trailhead has been plowed, although 4WD could help.

Mountain Weather:

Today: Clear. High 30. Winds out of the E at 3-9 mph.

Tonight: Clear and cold. Low near 10. Winds 5-7 mph out of the East.

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny. High near 36. Winds 3-10, gusting to 20 out of the ENE.

Avalanche Conditions:

Lots of snow and moderate winds is a recipe for slabs and avalanches. While poking around the snow yesterday, we noticed that there is a density difference in the new snow, with the denser snow on top of the less dense snow. While breaking trail, the top layer was adhering to itself and cracking off, a miniature soft slab. For the past two days, we also felt our first collapsing in the snow pack, a sign of instability. And the most telling sign we saw was the clues that the wind left. Winds from the N and NW cross loaded slopes and left a pattern on exposed areas like waves on a lake. There were some soft wind pillows forming on lee sides of ridges as well. We also observed loose snow avalanches (sluffs) on some steeper slope angles. The avalanche danger for today is going to be MODERATE above tree line with pockets of CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees. At tree line the avalanche danger is going to be MODERATE, with pockets of CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes (especially NE-SW aspects and cross-loaded gullies) steeper than 35 degrees. Today is a heads up day, make decisions based on stability and not on the allure of the powder.

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

Some snowmobilers were out yesterday, making it time to head out with your Nordic gear!

Public Announcements:

We still need volunteers and observers! Call us at the office for more info, 259-7155 for more info, or 636-3363 after hours. Get ready for our avalanche awareness courses coming in January. Check the education page for a course near you.

Word of the Day:

Surface Hoar is the large feathery frost that forms on the snow surface during calm, clear, cold and humid conditions. When buried it can be one of the most dangerous weak layers out there.