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 Friday, January 19th, 2007 at 6:30 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. 

 

We will be rescheduling our Level 1 AIARE Course in Moab for the first weekend in March, the 2nd – 4th.  The cost will be $130/person.  Call 435.636.3363 for more information and to sign up. 

  

General Conditions:

             Living in the Red Rock Desert can be frustrating if you’re an avid backcountry skier.  Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and enjoy other facets of living in and around Moab.  The snow pack in the La Sals is currently shallow and variable.  Above tree-line you can expect wind-scoured slopes with areas of cross-loading.  Any slopes with wind slabs will have an inverted snow pack structure.  Cold temperatures are keeping the snow from gaining strength and promoting faceting.  The best bet in finding some decent turns will be below tree-line between 11,300’ & 10,800’. 

             To get a winter workout, go up and use the groomed Nordic and Skate Ski trails!  Today the LUNA groomers will lay a new carpet of corduroy. 

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) –

Today: Partly cloudy, with a high near 26. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Weather Station/ Location

Snow Depth (HS):  in./cm

Storm Total

(HN):  in./cm

7:00 a.m. Temp (F)

Current Observations:  Wind, 48 hour snow

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

15.0”

0

15

~

Geyser Pass

24”

0

N/a 

~

Gold Basin and South Mountain

24”

0

n/a

Thin, below normal coverage

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

Wx down

Wx down

 

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 are still some stiff wind slabs at and above treeline.  Currently, any human triggered avalanches will probably be limited in size and could only be triggered in a few locations.  What we are waiting for is what this storm on the horizon will bring us.  If enough snow falls and transporting surface winds are present, be sure that the avalanche danger will rise in accordance to these direct action avalanche makers.