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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POCKETS OF CONSIDERABLE (Level 3 of 5) Avalanche Danger remain in La Sal Mountains with drifting of new and old snow from major wind event Thurs/Fri and again last night. Watch for drifting and hard slabs on E-SE-S-SW-W facing slopes. Avalanche Dangers will be less in the Abajos where less snow has fallen over the last 6 days, but it must be stressed that the winds are a major factor here. Let's hope we get some more snow this week and a respite from the winds. Conditions are pretty variable. Crusts are even being reported in sheltered N. facing trees. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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We've measured 1-3 inches of new snow in the mountains of SE Utah this morning with the La Sals again receiving the bigger numbers. Depths are going to be highly variable however as North winds continue to shred the snowpack here in the La Sals and the Abajos. Last hour winds averaged 33 MPH from the North with 46 MPH gusts. That has pretty much been the story for the last 24 hours. It is a chilly 10 degrees F at 10,000 ft. With these winds, 1 - 3 inches is hardly going to be enough to "fix" our skiing and riding conditions.
Access roads to the La Sals and the Abajos have not been plowed yet. Expect some drifting with these winds onto recently plowed roads.
Richard Coffinberry and I groomed the entire nordic track Friday for skate skiing. Classic track-setter is broken at the moment so skate-skiing only has been set. Upper and Lower Nordic loops have been groomed and the roads to Geyser Pass and Gold Basin. Thanks Richard. Again, expect some drifting |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Gold Basin - La Sals - Loose snow sluffs and point releases noted Wed. from Tukno into Tele-Gold and Tele-Heaven. Another small class one sluff was noted in the Middle Cirque above The Throne as well.
South facing slab avi's reported in Ophir/T-ride region of San Juan Mtns to our east. These observations are from last Friday and coincided with the wind event that continues in SEUtah this morning. Very similar storm/snowpack trend of late to us. Very pertinent info here!
You can submit photos and snowpack or avalanche observations here. Send 'em in!! |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
48 hours.
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Impressive wind event continues with a little bit of new snow for transport loading SE -S-SE and W facing slopes. Watch out here on the normally more stable sunny sides. Many old crusts and layers exist on these slopes providing many potential bed surfaces. Keeping POCKETS of CONSIDERABLE Avalanche Danger in the forecast to reflect the likelihood of Human Triggered avalanches on these slopes. Note also that with the exceptionally strong sustained winds we've had, slabs are likely to form farther down lee (downwind) slopes than usual, so have included mid-elevation slopes in this danger rating. Some of these slabs might be quite hard. Surf's up. Expect to find a MODERATE Avalanche Danger elsewhere, keeping an eye out for drifted snow on steep slopes. |
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THREAT #2 |
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PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
8 hours.
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This scenario did not unfold yesterday, but with the same forecast today and a bit more snow: Sunny sides continue to get the snow load. Watch for daytime heating as warmer temperatures and solar energy influence East through South Through West facing slopes today. Expect to find a MODERATE avalanche danger on these aspects in steep mtn. terrain as things heat up. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:
Today: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Monday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. South southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 15. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Tuesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 22. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -1. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
We will update this message Tuesday morning.
La Sal Mountain Ski Hut Open House @ Tag-a-Long Tours Tomasaki Cabin Feb 12th & 13. www.tagalong.com
If you see an avalanche or would like to share any snowpack observations (please do!) you can call us at 435-636-3363, e-mail Dave at : dave@utahavalanche center.org, or use the backcountry observations form here. These observations really help! |
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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. |
