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 Friday, January 20th, 2006 at 7:00 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 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 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! You can also report observations at 435-636-3363.

  

General Conditions:

About 14” of new snow has fallen at the Geyser Pass trailhead in the past week, measuring in at 1.1” inches of snow water equivalent. Experience has shown that this is usually about 30-40 percent less than we receive at upper elevations and in more favored areas. No matter where you measure it, the backcountry conditions in the La Sals are improving hugely. It is cold out there this morning so dress accordingly. The winds have been behaving the last couple of days so your favorite slope is probably holding some good powder snow. Skate skiers will just have to wait until we get some snowmobile traffic on the roads. OK powder hounds; remember it is still an early season snowpack out there. Lot’s of ground hazards are still near the snow surface to trip you up.

 

The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead will be plowed by early this afternoon.  4WD and chains are recommended for anyone venturing up this morning.

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

         Today: Mostly sunny, with a high around 22. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest.
         Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 4. South southwest wind around 10 mph.
         Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 24. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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’):

27’’ 

4” 

9

0.3” more H20 with new snow

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

~ 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

40” 

6+” 

N/a 

6”

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

7

Light Northwesterly. 

 

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

            Reports of great skiing are coming in and the local skiers are jumping for joy. Coverage is improving (it is not great yet) and the range is finally shaping up. It’s a late bloomer this year and people have been chomping at the bit, so, before you head out there let’s talk about how to stay on top of the snow. Let’s look at our current situation: Remember that here in S. Utah we are dealing with a continental snowpack. It’s a thin, multi-layered pack that quite often contains weak faceted grains, sometimes called “squares or “depth Hoar”. The La Sal pack contains plenty of these crystals. The snowpack is particularly weak around treeline elevations. We’ve had at least 14 inches of new snow in the last week and much more in favored areas (where are these?). Cold temperatures and light winds have left a lot of snow available for transport and wind loading. So far we have seen only a few avalanches from last Sunday’s 12” of new snow. Not much by La Sal standards. Why, you might ask? The answer my friend, is the lack of blowin’ wind. We have been spared the wrath of the typical La Sal post storm high wind episode. The current avalanche danger which we are calling MODERATE below treeline and CONSIDERABLE at and above treeline, on all slopes steeper than 35 degrees, reflects this lack of winds. We did limited areas of slab formation above treeline prompting a higher danger rating at upper elevations. The key to staying on top of the snow this weekend will be to watch the winds. There is a lot of snow available for transport in the slopes of the La Sals right now, and if the winds come up, expect a rising avalanche hazard.

 

Take a look at a snowpit from our tour on 01/15/06 here.