US
Forest Service
Manti-La Sal
National Forest
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Introduction:
Good Afternoon, this is Max Forgensi with the THE AMERICAN INSTITUE FOR AVALANCHE RESEARCH AND
EDUCATION (AIARE) LEVEL II CLASS IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 3RD-6TH. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AIARE, TOM
MURPHY, WILL BE ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS AT THIS CLASS. THIS WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO
LEARN FROM THE MAN HIMSELF. CALL
(435) 636-3363 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP. THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPOTS AVAILABLE. 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, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Click HERE to give us your
observations…ANY OBSERVATIONS!
Do you know how great it would be to get observations from people that
travel to different parts on the mountain range than us? |
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General Conditions: You got to
love the desert to live in Moab.
Blue skies, dry air, warm temperatures and a myriad of possibilities
out your door. In this beautiful
place, we also have the possibility to enjoy winter only 40 minutes
away. Nordic and skate skiing,
backcountry skiing and snowmobiling.
Nordic and skate skiing conditions are great right now. The Forest Service roads are packed
out and ready to give you a great workout. Unfortunately there is only a shallow snow pack for
backcountry pursuits. Seven days
since our last snowfall and temperatures warming up into the mid-forties at
9,600’. There is definitely some
snow to go out and enjoy…look for it in shaded/wind-protected slopes at or
just below treeline. The sun has
been out in full force leaving sun-crusts on South and Western aspects which
might soften up by early afternoon.
The problem might be the thin snow cover on those aspects. The
road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is in great shape. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) This
Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North northwest wind around
10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. |
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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 |
|
30’’/75 cm |
0” |
19 |
48 degrees out at 13:00 |
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|
Geyser Pass |
52”/130 cm |
n/a |
N/a |
~ |
|
|
44”/110cm |
0” |
N/a |
|
|
N/a |
N/a |
28 degrees at 13:00 |
@ 13:00 winds 11
mph out of NNW |
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Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) With this high-pressure system
locked in place for the foreseeable future, the avalanche danger has slowly
dropped and a new batch of problems start to arise. The possibility of wet snow point releases on south
through west aspects increase throughout the day, especially with temperatures
close to 50 degrees. Sun crusts
and sun radiation will be creating near surface facets on South through West
aspects while on Northerly aspects, cold snow temperatures and the lack of
direct sun will keep persistent depth hoar crystals from gaining
strength. There might be a
couple small wind slabs out there above tree-line that you might want to
avoid on these North-East aspects.
Besides those and the possibility of wet point releases, we are on a
wait and see program. How will
new snow bond to the changing snow surfaces and how much weight will the weak
snow pack structure hold before it fails? We’ll see! The BOTTOM LINE for tomorrow will be an avalanche danger of MODERATE on #1:
North-East aspects at or above treeline with wind-loaded slopes and #2: South-West aspects in the afternoon due to daytime
heating. If you see pin-wheels or roller balls,
the snow is starting to lose its cohesion. Take a look at a snowpit from our tour
on 01/15/06 here. |