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 Tuesday, January 27th, 2006 at 8:00 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. We have been working on the internet link for the Pre-Laurel Peak and it is now operational, see the link below.  

  

General Conditions:

             Powder skiing is “on” again in the La Sal mountains thanks to the 4-8” of new dense powder that fell Wednesday night. Improving conditions do not mean                          great conditions however, a light touch is still required to keep you from falling through “the trap door” into the rotten snow below.  Also, I feel compelled to continue warning folks about the ground hazard out there, especially in the wooded glades. Some strong winds accompanied the new snow (see avalanche conditions below!) and sheltered areas will be your best bet for finding good turning conditions.  The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has been plowed and is in great shape for all vehicles. Skate skiers will be out of luck until weekend snowmobile traffic packs out the roads.

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

             Today: Areas of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
                 Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
                 Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 27. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south southwest. Winds could gust as high as 30 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’): (snotel link)

25’’ 

4.5”

23

4.4” snow, .4” H2O

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

40” 

8”

n/a

8” new

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

8.3”

southerly @ 20-30 mph

 

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

            Preliminary observations from the La Sals have shown minimal avalanche activity in the La Sals associated with this storm. We are still in the “avalanche window” within 48 hours from the end of the storm, and more snow is likely on the way. The new snow from this last storm seems to have bonded with the old snow better than expected. While this is encouraging, we are keeping the avalanche danger rating at CONSIDERABLE today due to the extremely weak snowpack structures out there before this storm and the wind associated with the new snow. The winds have been high during this storm, falling into what is considered a “critical value” for slab avalanche formation. We are right at the lower edge of what is considered a “critical value” for snowfall amount. The lack of natural avalanches may reflect a snowpack that is sitting at the balance point waiting, for the weight of a skier or a snowmachine to trigger a failure. Don’t be the trigger, and don’t push it in the La Sals. There’s plenty of powder out there on slopes that won’t get you into trouble. Keep the slope angles under 35 degrees and stay out from under avalanche run out zones. Have fun, and thanks for calling.  

 

We need your observations! Call 435-636-3363 or use the link near the top of the page to get to the observers page! Yes, DO IT!

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