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 15th, 2006 at 8:30 am. 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 3^RD-5^TH (FRI-SUN), WHILE OUR LEVEL 2 IS MARCH 3^RD-6^TH (FRI-MON). CALL (435) 636-3363 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP. EACH CLASS IS LIMITED TO 12 STUDENTS. TUITION GOES TO 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.

MLAC NEWS: We have started an observer page for folks to send us their backcountry observations. Report what you see in your backcountry travels HERE. Please send us your reports on avalanches, ski conditions, road conditions, snow pit profiles etc. Thanks!

General Conditions:

Only a trace of new snow so far, so don’t expect any fresh tacks yet. You can still expect a rugged experience out there in the La Sals of the main roads and trails. The NWS is sticking to their guns and calling for 4-8 inches of snow today, so with the grace of the gods, the backcountry situation in the La Sals will be improving. It looks like more snow is possible for mid-week as well. Winter MAY finally have arrived, but I wouldn’t go counting any snowflakes until the storm moves out. Look for backcountry conditions to improve, skate skiing and cross-country skiing on the roads to suffer a bit, and access to the trailheads to get a bit tougher if the current forecast verifies. Avalanche conditions will change also, see below….

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Winter Storm Warning

Today: Periods of snow with areas of blowing snow. High near 26. Breezy, with a west wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 7. Blustery, with a north northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
M.L.King Day: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high around 16. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. Blustery, with a north wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Weather Station/ Location	Snow Depth (HS): in./cm	New Snow (HN) in./cm	6:00 a.m. Temp (F)	Current Observations: Wind, 48 hour snow
Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’):	10.5”	trace”	27	trace”
Geyser Pass	N/a	trace”	N/a	trace”
Gold Basin and South Mountain	24”	trace”	N/a	0”
Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)	N/a	N/a	13	Southerly 10-20 mph

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

The Bottom Line is that while avalanche dangers are very limited right now, we are hesitant to lower the danger rating due to the avalanche activity that continues in SW CO w/ explosives. We are calling the avalanche danger MODERATE on all slopes steeper than 35 degrees. This means that natural avalanche activity is unlikely but human triggered avalanche are possible. Most of the snow we have is on our E-N-NW facing aspects, and our prevailing S winds pile the snow up on this aspect. Any areas of wind deposition, possibly in the form of large, smooth, rounded pillows of snow should be avoided.

Not much has changed yet in the La Sals with this storm yet. What we know already is that there is a very weak, faceted snowpack sitting on the ground in the La Sals right now, with more new snow on the way. If we get the forecast new snow amounts, we can expect a significant rise in the avalanche danger. It’s time to start looking at the snow through avalanche eyeballs. Carry a beacon, shovel and probes when traveling in the backcountry, and know how to use them.