US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

 Introduction:  Good morning, this is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory.  Today is Thursday, February 23rd at 9:00 am. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

WE HAVE 2 SPOTS LEFT IN 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:

        The persistent ridge of high pressure will keep us under a dry atmosphere through Monday when the next batch of Pacific moisture starts to enter the Great Basin.  Enjoy moderate temperatures today and tomorrow.  Nordic and Skate skiing conditions will be wonderful today as the 2”-3” of snow that fell on Sunday night freshened the roads up.  Backcountry skiing conditions will be variable…sun crusts on South-West aspects, consolidated/rotten powder in wind sheltered North aspects below treeline and a variety of wind slabs above treeline.  The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is in great shape. 

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high around 23. West wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 5. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low near 6. West wind around 5 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)

27” 

0

13

~

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

41” 

0

n/a

 

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

1

NNW @ 14 gusting to 18

 

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

 

The latest snow has uncharacteristically arrived with little wind. So, despite the weak condition of our La Sal snowpack, the load of new snow has not been enough to increase the avalanche danger very much. There are some areas where there are stiff wind slabs over extremely weak snowpack structures. I feel it would still be possible to trigger an avalanche in localized areas above treeline as a result of last week’s wind event. This hazard will not be super widespread, and difficult to locate, just keep in mind that there are some booby traps out there on the high peaks. Steer clear of areas with a shallow rotten base and stiffer, cohesive, bridging slabs at the snow surface. Today’s BOTTOM LINE is an avalanche danger rating of MODERATE, meaning that human triggered avalanches remain a possibility. Never trust a rotten, faceted snowpack like we have here in the La Sals. If we don’t get some more snow, this situation will be with us into spring and we may never see a truly green light snowpack with low hazard.

 

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.