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.