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, December 2nd at 10:00 a.m. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

Mark your calendars! On Monday, December 5^th at the Grand County SAR shed, the Winter Search and Rescue team will be hosting a ski swap from 6-8 p.m. Bring any winter gear that you want to swap and your checkbook. 10% of the proceeds will go to the Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center.

It will be held across from the M.A.R.C. at the SAR shed. See you there!

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:

It appears that winter is waiting for its official date to arrive in the La Sals this year. The storms which have graced the mountain ranges to the north are staying well… north for the time being. I am optimistic about the storm that is currently at our doorstep, which could bring some desperately needed snow to the La Sal’s. Snow is in the forecast for the next three days…it could help the Nordic Skiing conditions, but the snow necessary to make confident backcountry turns is still off in the future. You best bet to make some turns is to visit the Wasatch or the Northern Rockies.

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): 0.60” at the SNOTEL. 33 degrees at the trailhead at 10:00 a.m.

Gold Basin and South Mountain: 10” of settled snow on the ground.

Pre-Laurel Peak Weather Station (11,705’): The weather station is getting a facelift; new radios, antennas and all the instrumentation has been recalibrated. You can thank the Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center for this one. Expect the weather station to be up and running in early December.

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today...Snow...Windy. Snow accumulation 1 to 3 inches. Highs 35 to 45. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph.
Tonight...Snow. Snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches. Lows in the 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Colder. Highs in the 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Avalanche Conditions:

The lack of snow in the mountains is the biggest factor in our Avalanche Danger for today and this weekend. The lack of significant snowfall is limiting the hazard currently to North aspects at or above treeline. The most snow will be found in the north group, and that will be shallow and rocky. When the snow starts to fly this year, this cold, shallow, faceted snow pack will be the weak layer that will fail. Depth hoar is going to be the main concern in the La Sals this entire season. The Bottom line for today is going to be LOW with pockets of MODERATE on steep slopes above and just below treeline on Northerly aspects. I would save your skis and visit places with the snow; Crested Butte, the Wasatch and the Aspen area are your best bets. Continental snow pack anyone?