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, February 3rd, 2006 at 8:30 am. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

OUR LEVEL I AVALANCHE CLASS BEGINDS TONIGHT AT THE GRAND COUNTY SAR SHED AT 5:30 PM. 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:

             Another 3-4 inches of dense, wet snow has fallen in the La Sals over the last 24 hours and capping the mountains with a layer of “upside down” snow. This means that the snow on top is heavier than the snow below which makes for ca=challenging conditions for skiing and traveling in the Mountains. We are at least building a decent snowpack out there with promise for a good spring season. Our current snow level brings us up to 89 percent of normal so compared to the Abajos to our south, which currently stand at 31 percent, we should consider ourselves lucky.

The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is currently unplowed but passable by a 4wd vehicle.

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

                  Today: Partly cloudy, with a high around 31. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
                  Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
                  Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 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)

31 

3”

12

3”snow, .4” h20

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

45” 

4” (est.)

n/a

4”

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

6

Northwesterly @ 20-30 mph

 

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

 

While there has not been a lot of new snow in the mountains, the weak snowpack structures that exist in the La Sals are not going away soon. The High density of the new snow has created an inverted snowpack situation with dense snow over lower density, older snow. This generally leads to slab avalanche formation, especially if the precipitation is accompanied by wind, which is exactly what has happened. For this reason, until further observations can be made, we are taking a conservative line this morning and calling the avalanche danger CONSIDERABLE, with pockets of HIGH danger at and above treeline elevations. What this means is that human triggered avalanches are highly likely, so tread lightly. Have fun out there, and thanks for checking in.

 

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.