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, March 9th at 9:00 am. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

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

 

The Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center, a partner with the USFS, would like to thank their business supporters for their donations.  They would like to thank: Grand River Electric, Moab Desert Adventures, Canyon Voyages, Vertical Hydraulics, With Gaia Design and Western Spirit for their support.   

 

  

General Conditions:

             We have snow and more snow is on the way!!!!!!!   Finally, Mother Nature has turned her jet stream upon the La Sal Mountains and has given us quite a dump in the past 36 hours…and its not over yet.  15” of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours at the Geyser Pass SNOTEL site.  1.70” of H20 has been associated with this snow since early Wednesday morning.  17” of snow has fallen up in Gold Basin 

             Conditions have vastly improved in all areas in the past 24 hours.  The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead was plowed yesterday, but the amount of snow and some strong winds last night could have drifted the road in places.  I would recommend chains and 4WD today.

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Occasional snow showers, mainly before 11am. High near 21. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tonight: Periods of snow, mainly after 11pm. Low around 11. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to between 25 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Friday: Periods of snow, mainly before 5pm. High around 19. Windy, with a southwest wind between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 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)

41” 

15.5/39

15.4

SNOW!

Geyser Pass

 ~

~

~ 

 

Gold Basin and South Mountain

143cm

17/43

~

Expect more snow up high 

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

5.6

Winds out of the SW at 17 gusts to 38 

 

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

           Critical values have been reached for snow depths and water content.  Before this storm, there were places that held little to no snow, mostly on South through West aspects below treeline.  Northerly aspects above and below treeline will be where the most unstable snow will be today.   Transport winds out of the Southwest currently will be increasing the load on these North-East aspects.  On South through West aspects, the snow pack structure on the ground was stable before this event and the surface was a frozen melt freeze crust.  The storm temperature’s started out warm and has been getting colder every hour since yesterday, which is good for stability.   The interface between the crust and the new snow will be the deciding factor when it comes to stability on these aspects, and it looks like the new snow on these aspects have bonded pretty well.   

The BOTTOM LINE for today will be an avalanche danger of HIGH on North-East aspects and CONSIDERABLE on all other aspects at and above treeline.  Be on the lookout for avalanches, shooting cracks, wind-loading and whoomphing.  These will be the best indicators of instability for today.     

 

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.