Introduction: Good
Morning! This is Max Forgensi with the
USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather
advisory. Today is Thursday, December
2nd, 2004 at 8:30 a.m.
To see past advisories check out the ARCHIVE. To see current conditions go to our WEATHER PAGE. To see photos go to the AVIPHOTOS page.
General Conditions:
The cold air that everyone woke up to this
morning (11 degrees in Moab) will continue to linger around at least until
Sunday, when we have the next chance of precipitation. The roads are plowed, skin tracks are in and
the powder is fabulous! Another
beautiful day is on tap for the La Sals!
We currently have 22” at the Geyser Pass Trailhead SNOTEL site. You can expect over 40” of snow in Gold
Basin, with more in favored locations.
Yesterday it warmed up to 25 degrees at 1:00 pm, so if you are to
venture out, the warm(er) temperatures will be in the early afternoon.
Mark your
calendars for December 6th, at 7-8 p.m. when the Southeastern Utah
Winter Search and Rescue Team puts on a SKI SWAP! If you are trying to sell any type of snow related equipment
or clothing or are looking for some equipment yourself, this is going to be the
best place to do it in Moab for this winter season.
Mountain Weather:
This cold air mass will continue to dominate our weather for the
rest of the week with the next chance of snow coming on Sunday.
Today: Partly cloudy,
high near 33. Wind chill values of –3 to
7 above. Winds NE at 5-10 mph.
Tonight: Partly
cloudy. Low near 5. Wind chill values of –5 to 0. Winds ENE at 5-10
Friday: Partly
cloudy. High near 36. Wind chill values of –5 to 5 above. Winds ENE at 5 mph.
Make sure that you take breaks your breaks in the sun today!
Avalanche Conditions:
Today marks our third day without snow
falling in the La Sals. The natural
avalanche cycle has run its course and the chance of any new naturals happening
today is unlikely. We do have some
slopes to watch out for today if you venture out. I would be suspect of steep northerly aspects that could still
have buried a surface hoar layer, how reactive that layer is currently will be
what we are looking for in the next couple of days.
Anybody who traveled up into the La Sals lately
would have observed some limited avalanche activity on all aspects and at all
elevations. On some southerly aspects
there were some point
releases that started some loose snow avalanches. If you took a careful look around, you would have seen crown
lines just at or above treeline or on the lee side of ridges. One avalanche to note is that the north
ridge of the Horse Creek drainage ripped out below the weather station,
although the fracture line was half way down the slope.
The BOTTOM
LINE for today is an avalanche danger level of MODERATE
in
the backcountry. Use extra caution on
steep, open Northerly aspects above 35 degrees and in and around terrain
traps.
Nordic and Skate Skiing:
An enjoyable day for you
classic Nordic skiers. Skate skiing
will be compromised due to the fact the track is not very wide.