BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
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Danger Rose Tutorial
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The BOTTOM LINE for today in the Abajo and La Sal Mountains is an avalanche danger of MODERATE or LEVEL2 . Pockets of CONSIDERABLE or LEVEL 3 Avalanche Danger can be found on low and mid elevation E-NE-NW facing slopes where buried surface hoar is present below the latest storm snows.
Skiing and riding conditions are excellent. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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With up to 3 inches of new snow in the last 72 hours, fantastic skiing and riding conditions continue on in SE Utah. Cold Temperatures have kept the powder snow light and dry in all but upper elevation, wind exposed ridgelines and lower elevation South facing slopes where the sun and slightly warming temperatures have conspired to put a crust on the snow surface. Enjoy.
The road to the Geyser Pass Parking lot in the La Sals has now been cleared. San Juan County had some trouble with their grater but it is back in Service now and the road is open. Thanks for the hard work guys!!
Grooming on the La Sal Nordic trails is scheduled for Friday. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Things have quieted down. |
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THREAT #1 |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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Avalanche Dangers in the Mountains of SE remain at the MODERATE or LEVEL2 stage for most areas. Identified exceptions to this are pockets of CONSIDERABLE Avalanche Danger that may be found on sheltered E-NE-NW facing slopes where a layer of buried surface hoar from 12/28 may still be found intact under the New Year's and subsequent snowfall.
This persistent weak layer will not be found everywhere as it is easily destroyed by sun and winds and is unlikely to be found on south facing or windswept slopes. Once buried on North facing sheltered slopes, like South Mountain Glades for instance, it is a real problem and some detective work is warranted to find it. The surface hoar layer is visible in the snowpack 1 to 2 feet below the snow surface and is very reactive in snowpit tests where it exists. Take the time to dig and see if this layer is visible below the snow surface as a dark stripe of larger, feathery crystals. If you aren't comfortable looking at the snow for clues as to the extent of this problem, stay off slopes steeper than 30 degrees |
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THREAT #2 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
12 hours.
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Today will be the first warm day with temperatures forecast to reach 35 degrees at 10,000 ft and full sun. Expect the Avalanche Danger to rise to MODERATE on sunny side slopes SE-SW-W facing, as the day progresses and the warm temperatures and solar radiation loosen up the snowpack. Wet Avalanches frequently occur on sunny slopes during the first big warm-up after a storm, so heads up. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north northwest. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. North wind around 5 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. North wind around 5 mph. Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 25. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph. Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Sunday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Monday: A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 23. Monday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
We will update this message by Saturday morning, sooner if conditions change.
The Utah Avalanche Center has a limited number of discount lift tickets available for Brian Head Ski Resort. Follow this link for more information: http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center
The LSAC will be offering 2 avalanche classes this year. Our yearly Level 1 class will be held January 28, 29 and 30 of this winter season. The level 1 class focuses on avalanche phenomena, recognition and management of terrain where you might encounter these beasts and basic rescue.
This season, if we can pick up 6 participants, we are also hoping to do a Level 2 class. Tentative dates for the class are February 3-6. It is a 4-day class reviewing the basics covered in level 1, then carrying the subject matter further, exploring snowpack formation, crystal analysis, climactic effects and advanced rescue.
Call 435-636-3363 and speak to Dave or Max for more information or to sign up for one of the classes. |
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. |
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This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:
The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list. |
