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 Thursday, February 16th at 8:30 am. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

WE ARE STARTING TO FILL UP OUR AIARE LEVEL 2 CLASS BEING HELD IN THE LA SALS THIS YEAR. THE CLASS WILL RUN FROM 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:

             Nice to see a little whiteness on the peaks this morning. It looks like up to 4 inches of new snow has fallen in the La Sals overnight, although that amount is unconfirmed as the high winds have left our snow measurements all over the place and we are measuring conflicting amounts. A little snow will go a long way to freshen things up but any powder skiing you might seek out had better be in a very sheltered location after yesterday’s brutal winds. It doesn’t look like enough snow has fallen this morning to really shut down the Geyser Pass Road, but if you’re heading up there today I would recommend 4wd or chains in case there are any drifts across the road. Skate skiing and Nordic skiing will be improved again with very little snowmobile traffic but will not be prime right now with the new snow. The snow fall in the La Sals continues to limp along at 78% of normal with less than that at upper elevations. It looks like snow in the forecast so keep your fingers crossed for more, and a decent spring snowpack. Oh yeah, it is very cold outside this morning!

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Areas of snow before noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 29. Blustery, with a west northwest wind 10 to 20 mph becoming south southwest. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 27. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low near 14. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts 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)

28’’ 

3-4”

-1 degrees!

3-4”, h2o??

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

n/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

38” 

0

n/a

Unconfirmed amounts of new snow

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

-11 degrees F

Northwesterly 10-15 mph

 

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

 

The winds will be the major player in the avalanche equation today. A natural avalanche cycle has begun in the San Juan mountains with even less snow than we received here, so I would expect even more activity today in the La Sals. Down wind and cross-loaded slopes will be highly suspect today. If snowfall amounts are on the high end of what we have measured, Expect to find a COSIDERABLE avalanche hazard below treeline and a HIGH avalanche hazard above treeline, or in any areas of wind deposition. This is a conservative danger rating for sure, but until we get some real field observations we are being careful. I am not going to argue with 70-80 mph winds and any new snow in the La Sals falling onto our weak snowpack. Keep the slope angles under 30 degrees and avoid avalanche run out zones until the snowpack relaxes a bit. We’ll update this message by 8:30 am Friday morning. 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 snow pit from our tour on 01/15/06 here.