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 Friday, March 25th, 2005 at 7:30 am.  This bulletin is sponsored in part by Poison Spider, Moab’s finest bike shop, proud sponsors of the Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center.  This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

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:

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT is in effect for the La Sal Mountains.   Snow showers will continue throughout the day and will become heavy at times.  11” of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, and heavier snows can be expected higher due to the storms orographic properties.  The winds have been coming from the W-SW for the past 24 hours and are now forecasted to come out of the NW then turning to the NE.  There is plenty of powder to go up and enjoy today, this storm will bring the house down, so read on to the avalanche conditions for more information.  The road to the trailhead should be plowed sometime this morning, hopefully none of you took the chains out of your vehicle! 

 

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’):  52” at the SNOTEL, it is 24 degrees at the TH at 7:00 am.,  

Pre-Laurel Peak (11,700’): still trying to fix it!   

Gold Basin and South Mountain:  80”-90” of settled snow on the ground. 

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT

Today:  Periods of snow.  High near 23.  Winds will be out of the WNW at 10-15 mph, gusting to 25.  3-7” of snow is expected. 

Tonight:  Periods of snow.  Low near 14.  Wind chill values of –2 to 5 degrees.  Blustery.  Winds will be out of the NNW at 15-20 mph, gusting to 30.  9-13” possible.    
Saturday:  40% chance of snow.  Partly cloudy.  High near 24.  Wind chill values of 0 to 10 degrees.  Winds will be out of the NNE at 15 mph, gusting to 22.    

 

Avalanche Conditions:

18” of snow has fallen at the trailhead in the past 7 days and up to 3 feet of snow has fallen in the upper elevations during the same time period.  Our neighbor’s to the East (The San Juan’s) are reporting large avalanches running in the new snow, but also stepping down into some of the weaknesses found mid-pack.  These avalanches have been natural and also been triggered with explosives.  Today and tomorrow you can expect to observe some natural avalanche activity in the La Sal and have a good chance of triggering some if you venture into the wrong places.  Not only has the winds been transporting heavy amounts of snow onto lee sides of ridges and terrain features we have had some intense snowfall as well.  Yesterday we were receiving snow at a rate of 2-3” an hour for a few hours.  Snow on the ground does not like to change that fast.  Expect very sensitive slopes and cornices today, especially during this needed storm.  The Bottom Line for Today is a blanket CONSIDERABLE Avalanche Danger, with pockets of HIGH on slopes at or above tree-line greater than a 35 degree slope angle.  This HIGH avalanche danger will be for those slopes that have and continue to get wind loaded, especially during times of greatest snowfall intensity.  For today, keep your slope angles to under 30 degrees on open slopes, stick to the trees and out of the run-out zones of large avalanche paths.  Yesterday the 21st avalanche fatality occurred in the United States this year, lets finish this season off safe.  The snow will melt, your tracks of glory will vanish and the rivers will be swelling.  Take care.