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 Saturday, March 24th, 2007 at 7:00 a.m.  This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

The season is coming to a close fast.  Advisories will be posted on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, unless conditions warrant. 

 

The LaSalloppet is still on!   The groomed track is incredible.  BE READY!  Come on up on Saturday, March 24th.  Race starts at 9:00 am at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.  Sign up at the Moab Springs Ranch starting at 7:30 a.m.  You definitely want to be involved in this great race! 

 

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:

Did you really think winter was gone for the season?  The hot, dry weather for the first three weeks of March may have brought out your river and biking gear, but don’t put away the skis yet.  We are currently in a good flow with wrap-around moisture on the back-side of a low pressure system moving through Colorado.  Nice precipitation enhancement is occurring due to this through East Central Utah.  We will get a break from this unsettled weather Sun-Mon time frame and then winter weather will return on Tuesday. 

 

The La Sal Mountains took a hit from this warm weather that’s for sure.  We are currently sitting at 31% of snow water equivalent up in our islands in the desert.  Many west and south aspects lost snow completely on them while North and East aspects went into a melt-freeze cycle up to 11,500’.  Snow conditions will be variable, mainly dust on supportable crust to dust on breakable crust.  It should be fun.  Corn skiing will have to wait until these two systems move through our area and the temps start to warm up again. 

 

 Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Periods of snow showers, mainly before noon. Some thunder is also possible. High near 38. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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)

11.1”

~

31

1-2” new

Geyser Pass

~

~

N/a 

Groomed track for Lasalloppet

Gold Basin and South Mountain

36”

~

n/a

2” new

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

Temp Down

Winds 4 mph gust to 11 from ENE

 

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

Due to the cool down and everything locked in place, the avalanche danger will be at LOW on all aspects below 10,500’ and on all South through West aspects.  On North through East aspects at & above tree line, the avalanche danger for today will be MODERATE.   There is definitely cold snow in the Alpine on these aspects, route selection and good down-hill skiing techniques will keep you out of trouble.  Enjoy the last bastion of winter!