US
Forest Service
Manti-La Sal National
Forest
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Introduction: Good morning, this is Max
Forgensi with the 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 |
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General Conditions: The
winds for the past 36 hour time period have been very strong out of the South
and South-southeast. Averages
have been in the upper 20’s and lower 30’s with gusts as high as 80 mph. These winds will continue out of the
Southwest today as the cold front moves over our area today. Once the front moves through,
temperatures will be slightly colder than the past few days and winds will
start to diminish. Unfortunately,
this front has limited moisture associated with its southern end, and the La
Sal Mountains are part of that area.
Today, skiing conditions will be like your Mother’s meat casserole-you
won’t know what is in the next bite until you try some or look real
carefully. I would ski
conservatively and be careful once again of ground hazards. We are only at 71% water equivalent
for the La Sal Mountains so far this year.
The road to the Geyser Pass trailhead has been graded down low and plowed
up high making for some great driving conditions. The Nordic and Skate skiing conditions up to Geyser Pass
and into Gold Basin will be wonderful today. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near
41. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as
high as 35 mph. |
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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) |
26” |
0 |
Wx down |
Rare occurrence for SNOTEL, its down |
|
Geyser Pass |
138 cm |
0 |
N/a |
Deepest place these days |
|
|
42”/105cm |
0 |
n/a |
|
|
N/a |
N/a |
18 |
South-Southwest
@ 35 gusts to 57 |
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Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) The wind
has been really strong for the past 36 hours, meaning any available snow for
transport in fetch areas on Southerly aspects will have moved. Many factors will have limited the
snow transport…lack of snow on Southerly aspects, warm temperatures that have
made any snow available for transport too heavy to transport and finally the
dry air mass will more than likely sublimate any snow that is able to
transport into the atmosphere.
If any wind slabs formed in the past 36 hours, they will be very
isolated pockets and will be found much lower in starting zones than
anticipated. Before the blow
dryer turned on, the snow on the ground had a very weak snow pack structure. Facets reign on Northerly aspects
while Southerly aspects have reactive crust sandwiches. The BOTTOM
LINE for today will be an avalanche danger of MODERATE on steep
North-East aspects with the classic slab/weak layer (depth hoar)/bed surface
(ground) with no anchors and pronounced trigger points. Be careful on those South-West
aspects where crust sandwiches are lying about as well. Although these areas are isolated
today, I am reluctant to give the LOW avalanche danger for all areas today. Our continental snow pack has yet to heal itself of basal
instabilities. 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. |