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 Friday, March 5th, 2004 at 7:30 a.m. 

 

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General Conditions:

Yesterday, some light and variable convective snow showers brought us an inch or two of new snow.  Before that, and on Wednesday, temperatures were soaring-as a result every aspect that gets even a hint of sun has a zipper or thick sun crust.  Northerly aspects are providing for some amazing settled powder skiing.  Currently it is 14 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead with about 52” of snow on the ground, and 12 degrees at the Pre-Laurel Peak Weather Station with winds out of the SW in the 10-15mph range and gusts into the 20’s.  Gold Basin has about 80” of settled snow on the ground.  The road is plowed and in great shape up to the Geyser Pass Trailhead and up to the Dark Canyon trailhead.  The spur road to the La Sal Pass/South Mountain Area has not been plowed after this last storm meaning you have 2 extra miles to ski in there. 

 

Mountain Weather:

By this time next week we could be corn skiing with the forecast the models are predicting.

Today:  Mostly cloudy with the possibility of snow showers giving us up to 1”.  Highs in the low 30’s.  Winds will be out of the Northwest at 5-10 mph with gust into the 20s.

Tonight:  Partly cloudy with lows near 20.  Winds will be out of the SW at 5-10 mph with gusts near 20.

Friday:  Mostly cloudy turning to partly cloudy in the afternoon.  High in the mid 30’s.  Winds out of the W at 10-20 mph.

 

Avalanche Conditions:

The snow pack has been jerked around a fair bit by the temperatures in the last few days and has also had a bit of time to settle since last weekend’s storm.  There are 3 concerns which come to mind concerning the avalanche danger in the La Sal’s right now.  First is any remnant wind slabs at and above treeline (or 10,500’ to 11,000’ or higher) on Northerly aspects on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees.  Upper elevation sunny areas also have a precarious crust facet sandwich which is apt to fail, and may heed caution as well.  Second is wet slide possibility’s on southerly aspects as the day clears up and warms up-if it doesn’t clear up than no worries, but remember your warning signs for wet slides such as roller balls and sinking in deep on wet snow surfaces.  Lastly is one of the scarier concerns, which is low elevation shady areas with shallow snow packs, below about 10,000-10,500.  These areas received a significant load last weekend on top of some generally weak snow and may feel a bit punchy.  As I said though the snow has had some time to settle down a bit so the avalanche danger sits at MODERATE in these locations-remember that MODERATE avalanche danger means human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE. 

 

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

GET AFTER IT!  The Lasaloppet is just around the corner.  Remember to sign up the for the race, its on March 13th!  Extra blue is Max’s call I do believe.