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 Thursday, December 9th, 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:

Today is another incredible day to get up and enjoy the La Sal Mountains. Conditions at or below treeline have excellent conditions right now. Above treeline, you will get a mixed bag of snow conditions due to battling winds over the past five days. This has given a tessellated two-tone effect to areas in exposed areas or near ridge lines. SE-S aspects have a sun crust underneath the new snow that you could punch through while in other areas below treeline it is nothing but cold smoke.

The road crew was up yesterday, so most vehicles should make it to the trailhead.

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): 28 degrees out with 27”-34” of snow on the ground.

Pre-Laurel Peak (11,700’): 11 degrees with winds out of the NE at 3 mph, gusting to 7.

Gold Basin has about 40-46” of settled snow on the ground.

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy with a high near 32. Northwest winds @ 20-30 mph. 60% chance of snow. Accumulations of less than 1”.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low near 19. Blustery with Northwest winds @15-20 mph, gusting to 30.

Friday: Partly cloudy. High near 35. Winds out of the North at 5-10, changing in the afternoon to the SE.

Avalanche Conditions:

Today the greatest concern will be with wind effected areas above treeline. The winds of the past five days have transported snow in all sorts of directions. The good new associated with the winds is that the snow fell in intervals as well, giving the winds small to moderate amounts of snow to transport at one given time. The result is that the mountains have small, inconsistent wind-loading in most areas. What you should look out for today are areas that have consistent wind slabs on slopes greater than 35 degrees. Recent avalanches have started significantly farther down an avalanche path than at the top of their start zones. The strong winds have loaded slopes much farther down than usual. Take this into consideration, and always reevaluate the slope as you proceed. For today, I am going to rate the avalanche danger is MODERATE.

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

An enjoyable day for you classic Nordic skiers with just a little bit of new snow to break trail in. Skate skiing will be compromised due to the fact the track is not very wide and the new snow.