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 Saturday, December 4th, 2004 at 7:30 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:

Another morning of cold air as temperatures hover in the teens at most locations.  Excellent skiing and riding conditions can still be found on sheltered and shady slopes, but yesterdays warmer temps may have laid down a slight crust on sunnier aspects.  Currently winds have picked up a bit from the SW at 10 to 20 mph.  Currently it is 18 degrees at 9,600’ with 20-24” of snow on the ground and 15 degrees at 11,700’, with about 40” of snow in Gold Basin.

 

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:

The cold air will start to get pushed out of here ahead of the next storm system bringing us light snow early Sunday through Monday.  The details:

Today:  Mostly sunny. Highs 25 to 35.  South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Tonight:  A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. South southwest wind around 10 mph.

Sunday:  A chance of snow then snow likely in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Highs in the 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

 

Avalanche Conditions:

The stable weather pattern continues to lull the current avalanche danger to rest a bit, but at the same time sets us up for future problems of weak surface snow.  The persistent weak surface hoar layer from November 20th can still be found, but is becoming less of a culprit as time wears on.  Instead it is time to watch your step in the few dangerous locations and map out the current surface instabilities before they are buried by tomorrows snow and wind.  These dangerous locations, where the avalanche danger is MODERATE are on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on wind loaded slopes mostly on ENE-N-WNW aspects at or above treeline.  Sunnier slopes have settled out a bit but cross loaded gullies may still react a bit.  Be wary of the steep and shady spots below treeline where the persistent weak layers are even more dramatic, but the snow load is not as large, meaning your weight might really make the difference. All other areas have a LOW avalanche danger.

 

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.