AVALANCHE WARNING »
Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent.
Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
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Notice: A foot of high-density new snow has fallen with high winds in the Abajo Mountains creating dangerous conditions for backcountry travelers. More snow is forecast to fall in the Mountains of SE Utah today. Natural and Human triggered avalanches are likely through the weekend. Backcountry travel in or near avalanche terrain is not advised. |
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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A new Rescue Sled has been placed at the top of the North Woods to replace the one that was stolen (?!) last year. Thanks to the Alta Ski Patrol for donating that sled to the Grand County Search and Rescue. Thanks also to Ryan Schatzenbach who helped me drag that thing up there. You may now smash yourselves in the N. Woods.
Also, we now have our GOLD BASIN study plot on line with snow totals from 10,000 ft. Yeehaw:
http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=GOLDB |
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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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High or Level 4 avalanche danger can be expected in the Abajo Mountains with about a foot of high density new snow being measured at 8600 feet.
Considerable or Level 3 avalanche danger can be expected in the La Sal Mountains where up to 5 inches of the dense stuff has been measured.
High winds from the south have accompanied snowfall in both SE Utah Mountain ranges and much drifting has occurred on downwind slopes. Considering this is a holiday weekend, this is a real recipe for trouble. Be careful out there! |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Snow total haven't amounted to large numbers forecast by the NWS in the La Sals but we've picked up just under 5 inches at the Gold Basin Study Plot at 10,000 feet nonetheless. We've had only 2 inches at the windy La Sal Snotel site - high density snow containing 3 tenths of and inches of water. The Abajos came out on top in this storm with 10 inches of new snow containing 1.8 inches of water has fallen. The storm is tapering off now with a few lingering echoes over the SE Utah Mountains. Temperatures are much colder this morning, with Geyser Pass Trailhead temperatures of 15 degrees, 11 degrees at Gold Basin and 17 degrees at 8600 ft in the Abajos at Camp Jackson. Moderate WSW winds continue.
With the lighter snow totals in the La Sals, roads should be passable but expect drifting with high density snow with the SW winds really packing the drifts in. Bring a shovel. 4wd and chains recommended for all mountain trahilheads today.
Grooming has been postponed until after the storm on the La Sal Nordic Trail system. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Burn-off ridge roadcut produced a large human-triggerd slide up to 2.5 feet deep and 150 - 200 feet wide yesterday. This is a result of wind loading and happened BEFORE the bulk of our new snow came in. Remember, the #1 indicator of potential avalanche danger is new avalanches...
You can submit photos and snowpack or avalanche observations here. Send 'em in!! |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
48 hours.
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We almost need another forecast today for the Abajo Mountains where more snow has fallen and the avalanche danger is higher. With nearly a foot of snow and 1.8 inches of new water weight. The slopes are going to be very sensitive down there and likely natural avalanches have already started to run. We are calling the avalanche danger HIGH or Level 4 on most aspects in the Abajo Mountains. In all the mountains of SE Utah, the new snow is falling on multiple weak interfaces and the old snow will not hold much of a new load.
In the La Sal Mountains, the snow totals are not quite as large. We've had up to 5 inches yesterday and overnight, with nearly 9 inches since Thursday. Slab avalanches are still likely with the high-density new snow we've received that is falling on some incredibly weak old snow structures. We are calling the avalanche danger CONSIDERABLE or Level 3 in the La Sal Mountains meaning that Human Triggered avalanches are likely. E-NE-NW facing slopes will be most hazardous with the most new snow drifted onto them and the weakest old snowpack. Heads up! Snow is forecast to continue through the entire week so dangers are likely to stay at current levels or increase. Do not take this situation lightly. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:
Today: Snow and areas of blowing snow. Some thunder is also possible. High near 28. Windy, with a west southwest wind between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Tonight: Snow likely and areas of blowing snow before 11pm, then a slight chance of snow after 11pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Washington's Birthday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west southwest. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 15. Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 29. Wednesday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 11. Thursday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and windy, with a high near 26. Thursday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Friday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
We will update this message Monday morning.
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. |
