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 Thursday, February 2nd, 2006 at 8:00 am. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

WE HAVE ONE OPENING LEFT IN OUR AIARE LEVEL 1 COURSE ON FEBRUARY 3RD-5TH.  WE HAVE 4 OPENINGS FOR OUR LEVEL 2 WHICH WILL BE MARCH 3RD-6TH.  PLEASE CALL (435) 636-3363 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP. 

 

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.

 

 Hey backcountry users!  Click HERE to give us your observations…ANY OBSERVATIONS!   We have only received ONE observation from backcountry users in the La Sals, while up on the Skyline we get a couple every week…shape up!  

  

General Conditions:

          The clouds are still enshrouding the La Sal Mountains this morning and snow is in the forecast for today and tomorrow.  Skiing and riding conditions have vastly improved in the trees as the warm weather and high relative humidity have helped stabilize the upper portion of the snow pack.  It is getting tougher and tougher to find tiger traps out in the woods these days.  Just because the upper pack is stabilizing, don’t let your avalanche guard down.  Read on to the avalanche conditions for more information.  The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has been plowed this week, 4WD is always recommended for some of those steep inclines.  The Nordic and Skate skiing conditions are great as well.  The 1”-1.5” of snow we received yesterday should make for a good surface. 

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

           Today: Periods of snow. High near 34. Breezy, with a west northwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
           Tonight: Periods of snow. Low around 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
            Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 27. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 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’):

30’’ 

1”

29

Temperatures are warming

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

Going up today for information 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

42”/106cm 

1.5”/3cm

N/a 

Good Settlement in snow pack

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

~

Winds light out of NW/ RH=98%

 

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

       Good field day yesterday showed a couple of avalanches out in the La Sal Mountains.  One significant slide in the gut of Tele Heaven off of Tuk No was observed although it appeared to be in the new snow only.  The snowpack is gaining strength in the upper portions of the pack due to warm temperatures and high relative humidity.  The snow is also settling very nicely too.   One major consideration must be taken into account…that most North aspects still hold persistent depth hoar crystals in the snowpack.   These do not just disappear and are easily triggered remotely or by a ski transferring its energy through the shallow snowpack.  A snow pit yesterday dug on a North aspect showed that the snow is gaining strength, but that was in one spot.  There are plenty of wind slabs sitting on the leeward sides of slopes and ridges…if these go you can bet there will be a large avalanche.   It is still not the time to start heading towards the large lines in the La Sals.  Just be happy to know that some of your favorite places to ski are coming into their own.

       The BOTTOM LINE for today will be an avalanche danger of CONSIDERABLE on steep, wind drifted slopes on NW-N-NE-E aspects.  Remote triggering an avalanche is a definite possibility…stay away from the deposition zones of avalanche paths.  Watch out for wind slabs sitting on these Northerly aspects as well.  The rest of the range will be MODERATE.  Have fun with all the new snow and thanks for checking in. 

 

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