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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Avalanche dangers in the Mountains of SE Utah are mostly LOW or Level 1 right now, but we have kept pockets of MODERATEor Level 2 avalanche danger in the forecast due to high winds and the possibility of wind slabs along high ridgelines. We are many days out from our last storm and the moutains are showing it.
It is getting tougher and tougher to find good skiing in SE Utah. Very sheltered shady side slopes are the only place where you'll find good snow and north winds are doing what they can to sabotage the last of the good powder. Think trees... |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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There was a trace of snow overnight on Tuesday night but not enough to improve on the deteriorating snow conditions in SE Utah. With hourly averages in the 40's and gusts to 50 yesterday, North winds continue to rip whatever decent settled powder there is apart. Very sheltered E-NE-NW facing slopes are your best bet for good riding and turning conditions and good luck with that. It's a balmy 26 degrees at 6 am this morning with winds from the north at 12 mph.
All mountain trailhead accesses are open at this time. Geyser Pass, Lasal East side, and the access road to the old Blue Mountain Ski Area are all clear.
All of the La Sal Nordic system has been groomed by Luna Volunteers for classic cross-country and skate skiing. It's the best bet in the La Sals right now for good conditions. Thanks Gerrish and Michael! |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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We're quite a ways out from any recent activity. An archive of avalanches and terrain photos for SE Utah has been posted under the "current conditions" tab if you are interested.
You can also submit photos and snowpack or avalanche observations here. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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Over the next
48 hours.
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Not much has changed in the last few days. Avalanche Dangers in SE Utah are mostly LOW or LEVEL 1 of 5. We've kept pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger In the Alpine Zone above treeline where there is the possibility of localized "skier education pockets" - areas of wind deposition from the north winds we've been having for the last week or so. They were strongest of the week yesterday morning. There is snow available for transport from north facing slopes so heads up and keep an eye out for lens-shaped and possibly hollow sounding areas of wind drifted snow, particularly on sunny side slopes.
We DO have buried persistent weak layers buried in our snow pack that are likely to become active when we get a real storm in our region. Weak snowpack structures have been identified and linger in the thinner snowpack areas of both the Abajos and the La Sal Mountains. Near surface faceting will also be occurring during this extended high pressure and avalanche conditions should be predictably spectacular when and if we ever get any more snow. |
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THREAT #2 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
8 hours.
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Expect the possibility of wet avalanches, both point releases and slabs, to increase to Moderate or Level 2 as daytime heating weakens the snowpack over each of the next few days through Saturday. Human triggered wet avalanches are possible when the snow gets warm, wet and mushy. Don't stay out on sunny side slopes too late in the day. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 43. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south southwest. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Sunday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Sunday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Monday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Monday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
We will update this message Saturday morning, sooner if conditions change.
La Sal Mountain Ski Hut Open House @ Tag-a-Long Tours Tomasaki Cabin Feb 12th & 13. www.tagalong.com
The Utah Avalanche Center has a limited number of discount lift tickets available for several Utah Ski Resorts. Follow this link for more information: http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center
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.
Call 435-636-3363 and speak to Dave or Max for more information or to sign up.Via e-mail: dave@utahavalanchecenter.org |
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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. |
