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 17th at 6 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:

              A disappointing showing from the last storm, with only one inch of new snow being recorded with big winds. Snow conditions in the La Sals have now been swirled around into a crazy mix of supportable and unsupportable sun crusts, wind crusts, wind slabs, sastrugi, settled powder and rocks. Amazingly enough, some decent powder conditions are still being reported on sheltered shady slopes below treeline. Skate skiing has suffered from some drifting up high on the Geyser Pass trail but conditions are pretty good and some snowmobile traffic today will help out with the drifts. The road to the Geyser pass Trailhead is in good shape almost all the way to the parking lots but without chains or 4wd you may have a hard time with a drift on the road at the last switchback. Next chance for snow this weekend so read on. It looks like something may finally come in on a favorable southerly flow.

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high around 35. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 35. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Saturday Night: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low near 9. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to between 5 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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)

25.5’’ 

0

23

2 cm new, Need more snow

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

35” 

0

n/a

3 cm new, Need snow

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

7.3

Southerly @ 30-40 mph, gust to 63mph

 

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

 

As suspected, the winds kicked up the avalanche hazard with several natural avalanches being observed yesterday at treeline and above. Medium to large size slab avalanches on Noriega’s Face, Laurel Peak, South Mountain and the West Ridge of Tukno Peak were noted yesterday, demonstrating the power of the wind and an angry inch of snow that arrived with sustained 40-50 mph hourly average winds and 70 – 80 mph gusts. High winds are back with us again today. Many slopes are already relieved of their wind loads, but some tender snow slopes are still intact and have yet to avalanche this season, particularly in the northerly aspects of Gold Basin. Heads up in there. We are currently calling the Avalanche Danger above treeline or in wind affected areas CONSIDERABLE. Expect a MODERATE hazard below treeline, but beware of open areas where wind slabs could have formed. The snowpack is particularly weak around treeline elevations. Beware of hollow sounding, rounded pillows of wind drifted snow. If unsure, keep the slope angles under 30 degrees. Pray for more snow. It will help flush out some of our current weak snowpack structures and in the long run, strengthen what is left. 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.