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 Monday, February 27th at 8:00 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. THERE IS CURRENTLY ONE SPOT LEFT.

 

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:

Well, I was out of town for a few days in Colorado, where they have some snow, and it is a bit shocking to see how little snow there is on our Mountains. We are currently at 71% of normal snowfall here in the La Sals. The snowpack is even thinner above treeline due to the windstorm on February 15th. The wind blew from the south, then the north, and even stripped aspects usually favored by our prevailing winds. At least we don’t live in Telluride. If we lived in a ski town, we’d have to come to Moab. Corn Skiing? Not quite, but we’ll keep you posted. A decent amount of snow is in forecast for Tuesday/Wednesday so hope for the best.

The skate skiing on the Geyser Pass Trail is excellent and the Road to the Geyser Trailhead is in good shape

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Partly cloudy, with a high near 43. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Tuesday: Snow likely, mainly after
11am. Cloudy, with a high around 39. Windy, with a south southwest wind between 25 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low near 17. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 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)

24” 

0

35

Sun crusts on solar aspects, variable elsewhere

Geyser Pass

 N/a

n/a

N/a 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

38” 

3

n/a

 

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

23

Southwesterly @ 15-30 mph

 

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

 

Entering into our 4th day of warm high pressure and the snow conditions will start to reflect this. Extensive sun crusting has developed and this will reduce the danger of avalanches to near zero on SE thru W facing slopes while the snow remains frozen on top. After the daily thaw, it will be best to avoid these solar slopes as they will then become wet and unconsolidated. If you are breaking through the crust and sinking into the old snow, it’s time to move on. On E-NW facing slopes, especially in open areas and above treeline we still have a dry, rotten, winter snowpack covered by a mix of wind slabs, wind crusts and even the odd bit of ski able settled powder. The snowpack is so weak that it would still be possible to trigger an isolated pocket of wind slab at or above treeline. Rounded, hollow sounding pillows of wind drifted snow are best avoided. We are continuing to rate the avalanche danger MODERATE on E-NW facing slopes steeper than 30 Degrees. This does not reflect the wet slide possibility of solar slopes in the afternoon, but keep that in mind too. 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.