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, March 13th at 8:30 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

General Conditions:

Incredible storm totals will have us pouring over old records to see if this is a record event. It is the biggest single storm I can remember since 1992. We are up to 37 inches of new snow and 3.4” of water at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. 54” of new snow in Lower Gold Basin since last Tuesday. Deep, thick powder skiing is on tap right now in the La Sals. Skiing and riding conditions have been steadily improving as the snow settled out and inverted layers in the snowpack became buried. The latest snow has been a bit lighter improving ski conditions even more. These are by far the best conditions of the year. This storm brings us up to 83% of normal snowfall (inches) and 90% of our normal snowpack (water weight). Similar storm totals have fallen in the Abajos, where they needed the water even more than us, so yeehaw. The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is plowed but narrow, so passing oncoming traffic can be a challenge. 4wd still recommended. Forget about skate skiing until further notice!

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high around 29. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 2. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 28. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. Breezy, with a south wind between 15 and 20 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)	56”	37” since 3/6/06	7	4-6” overnight
Geyser Pass	200+ cm	0	N/a	Deepest place these days
Gold Basin and South Mountain	78”/200 cm	54” since 3/6/06	n/a	deeper
Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)	N/a	N/a	1 cold!	Light/mod southerly

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

Avalanche Warning in Effect for the Mountains of Southern Utah through Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Incredible storm totals continue to go up. Skiing is getting even better too. With snow totals like these, even with the most bombproof snowpack underneath all the new snow, one would, and should, be worried about avalanches if you chose to travel in the mountains. With our rotten, faceted old snowpack here in the southwest the danger is magnified. Up to 54” of new snow has fallen on top of a weaker supporting base. A classic avalanche scenario. There are just too many red flags out there right now. The BOTTOM LINE for today is HIGH avalanche danger on all aspects on slopes steeper than 30 degrees in the La Sal and Abajo mountains. Heads up! Stay on top of the snow! Update tomorrow @ 8:00 A.M.