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 Saturday, February 18th at 7:30 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:

              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 over the last couple of days will help out with the drifts. The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is in good shape, passable by all vehicles but slippery in places. We’ve had to pull more than one vehicle out of the snow banks that slipped off the icy surface under the newest snow. More new snow on the way for tonight may change that situation so use your best judgment if you are up there after the snow starts. Hopefully, this new snow in the forecast will materialize. It looks like we might actually get something on a favorable southerly flow for once.

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Areas of snow. Areas of blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Sunday: Snow likely with areas of blowing snow. Cloudy, with a high around 19. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 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

18.5

2 cm new, Need more snow

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

32” 

0

n/a

3 cm new, Need snow

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

5.5

Southerly @ 20-30 mph

 

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 Thursday at treelike 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 on our tour Thursday, 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 have been with us again through the early AM hours last night. 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, this is where the winds will have had the most effect. 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.