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 Saturday, March 26th, 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.

 

THERE WILL BE AN OUTDOOR GEAR SWAP TO BENEFIT THE MANTI-LA SAL AVALANCHE CENTER ON SATURDAY, APRIL 2ND.  GEAR CHECK WILL BE AT 8 AM, SALE STARTS AT 10 AM.  IT WILL BE HELD AT UP THE CREEK CAMPGROUND, 210E. 300S.

 

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:

AN AVALANCHE ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE LA SAL MOUNTAINS FOR TODAY, AND POSSIBLY TOMORROW.    20” of snow has fallen in the past 48 hours at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, storm totals yesterday left us with over two feet of fresh in Gold Basin as of yesterday afternoon.  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 is not plowed, hopefully none of you took the chains out of your vehicle!  4WD and chains are definitely reccomenned. 

 

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’):  9” in the past 24 hours.  60” at the SNOTEL, it is 20 degrees at the TH at 5:00 am.,  

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

Gold Basin and South Mountain:  100” of settled snow on the ground. 

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Snow likely, mainly before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 27. Blustery, with a north northeast wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 13. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

 

 

Avalanche Conditions:

AN AVALANCHE ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE LA SAL MOUNTAINS FOR TODAY.  27” 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.  The snow pack structure is unstable.  This new snow is sitting on a very hard crust in most places.   6” graupel layer underlays most of the new snow, ball bearings are sitting on a great bed surface, which has two feet of snow sitting on it!  For 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 1-2” 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 HIGH avalanche danger on slopes at or above tree-line greater than a 30 degree slope angle.  These slopes will primarily found on SE-E-NE-N aspects.  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.