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 Sunday, January 7th, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW GROOMING EQUIPMENT HERE.

 

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.

Please give us your observations from the field HERE.  The more observations we get, the better this forecast can be. 

  

General Conditions:

       2”-6” fell on the La Sal Mountains on Thursday night and into early Friday Morning, freshening up conditions a bit.  Go up and enjoy the conditions today, temperatures should warm to 30 degrees by mid-day.  The La Sals are hampered by a thin snow pack, we are at 76% of our normal snow water equivalent.  There are some places to make decent turns, you just have to explore to find some decent snow that has not been affected by the great scouring winds of the North.    

        Winds scoured the starting zones on North aspects & West aspects.  Even in thick trees!   Be weary of dust on crust/breakable crust on lower elevation South-West aspects. 

        The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has been plowed, although as always, 4WD is recommended.    

NEWS!  NEWS!  Prepare yourself now for the potential of a large storm to affect our area starting Thursday 1/11. 

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) –

Today: Partly cloudy, with a high near 30. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14. West wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Weather Station/ Location

Snow Depth (HS):  in./cm

New Snow (HN) in./cm

7:00 a.m. Temp (F)

Current Observations:  Wind, 48 hour snow

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link)

13.9”

0

12

~

Geyser Pass

~

0

N/a 

6” of fluff reported Friday

Gold Basin and South Mountain

31”

0

n/a

Thin, below normal coverage

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

-1.7

North winds 20 mph gust to 30

 

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

 

  We are currently calling the Avalanche danger MODERATE, meaning that human triggered avalanches are possible.  There is not much snow in the starting zones of avalanche paths in the alpine, although some sensitive (small) wind slabs have been deposited on leeward sides of slopes and ridges.  The places where you should be using extra caution is in the tracks and run-out zones of large avalanche paths and on steep, sheltered Northerly slopes below tree-line.  Avalanches will not be very large, although could take you for a very uncomfortable ride.