US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:  Good Morning this is Dave Medara with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory.  Today is Sunday, January 1st 2006 at 8:30 am. Happy New Year.  This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

WE ARE STARTING TO FILL UP OUR AIARE LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 CLASSES BEING HELD IN THE LA SALS THIS YEAR.  THE LEVEL 1 IS FEBRUARY 3RD-5TH (FRI-SUN), WHILE OUR LEVEL 2 IS MARCH 3RD-6TH  (FRI-MON).  CALL (435) 636-3363 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP.  EACH CLASS IS LIMITED TO 12 STUDENTS.  TUITION GOES DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE FRIENDS OF THE MANTI-LA SAL AVALANCHE CENTER.

 

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 looks like 5” of desperately needed snow has fallen this morning at the Geyser pass trailhead. We are finally getting clipped by some of these storms that have been drenching the rest of the western US. It looks like even more snow is on the way.  Ground cover is still thin so be careful out there if you are out touring today off roads and trails.

The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead will be a 4WD affair this morning. I have not been up yet, but with last night’s winds, expect the road to be drifted and make sure you’ve got a shovel and are ready to use it.

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’):  15” at the SNOTEL.  20” at the GPTH Snowstake, 5” in last night. 24 degrees at the Geyser Pass trailhead at 7:00 a.m.  35 degrees in Moab.

Gold Basin and South Mountain:  At least 29” of settled snow on the ground.

Pre-Laurel Peak Weather Station (11,705’):  Still Struggling with the weather station. Had contact, lost contact. The drama continues with new hardware.

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

NewYear's Day: Occasional snow, mainly before 10am. High around 30. Windy, with a west northwest wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south southwest.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Windy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to between 25 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the International Avalanche Danger Scale here)”

New snow on top of old weak snow is the scenario that the mountain traveler will be faced with here in the La Sal Mountains this morning. 5 inches at the trailhead will probably mean more snow up high. COmbinesd with last night’s high winds we are looking at a recipe for substantial avalanche releases for the next 48 hours. Expect to find a HIGH avalanche danger of human triggered avalanches on E-N-NW facing slopes steeper than 35 degrees above treeline or in wind affected areas. Expect to find a CONSIDERABLE hazard elsewhere. Choose your ski slopes conservatively today. Avoid areas of wind deposition that make a hollow or “drumming” sounds. Finally, remember that the coverage is still very thin and the new snow can hide booby traps. Be careful out there!