BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)

Danger Rose Tutorial

Variable skiing and riding conditions exist at this time in SE. Utah with areas of CONSIDERABLE or Level 3 avalanche danger in isolated pockets of wind deposition along upper elevation ridgelines. E-NE-NW facing are where the danger will be greatest. MODERATE avalanche danger remains in other areas not loaded by several days of strong winds from the south. We expect a sharp rise in the avalanche danger this weekend with the forecast storm.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Southerly winds are up (again) in advance of the next storm system moving into the state of Utah. More snow is forecast for the northern part of the state but we will see some snowfall this weekend in S. Utah as well. We've fallen to 95% of normal snowfall on the season in the La Sals and can really use some new snow to freshen things up. The Abajos remain at 132% of normal, but the bulk of that came in with the Christmas storm and conditions reflect the fact that this snow has been exposed for a long time. Skiing and riding conditions in both ranges are variable with sheltered E-NE-NW facing slopes still the best bet. We've had trace amounts of new snow over the last two days. Conditions should improve with the current forecast and we also expect a spike in the avalanche danger with this storm as well.

Roads to Geyser Pass, La Sal east side, and Abajo Mountain winter Trailheads have been cleared. Thank you San Juan County.

Grooming on the La Sal Nordic system was done on the entire track with the roller on Monday and finished with the ginsu groomer on Tuesday. So, the track is set for skate skiing in it's entirety, and classic cross-country track is set into Gold Basin and on all the lower mountains loops. If you see Matt Hebbard, you should buy him lunch, he's the man behind most of this effort. Thanks Matt.

RECENT ACTIVITY

Nothing recent.

You can submit photos and snowpack or avalanche observations here. Send 'em in!!

THREAT #1

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 24 hours.

Pockets of CONSIDERABLE or LEVEL 3 of 5 avalanche danger remain in Mountains of SE Utah. South Winds have been moving whatever snow there is available for transport onto upper elevation E-NE-NW facing slopes over the last several days, creating and enhancing pockets of wind slab that may be reactive to the weight of a rider. MODERATE avalanche dangers exist on most other slopes at and below treeline but always beware of rounded, smooth areas of wind drifting.

Our repetitive mantra of new snow falling (or being wind loaded) onto weak old snow structures remains true as we head into another storm cycle. We've had avalanche cycles large enough to bury or kill a skier this month with as little as 3" of new snow - mostly because of our crazy winds. Weak snow grains called Faceted Crystals tend to form at and near the surface of the snow pack over cold clear nights at this latitude creating a weak interface for new snow to bond with. These weaknesses, combined with the winds we get here in SE Utah make our "threshold values" for snow and water weight ridiculously low compared to other areas. As always be aware of the heightened avalanche danger when traveling in the mountains of SE Utah and expect a spike in the avalanche danger this weekend.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:

Today: Snow likely and areas of blowing snow before 11am, then areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible. Tonight: Snow and areas of blowing snow. Low around 17. Breezy, with a south southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Saturday: Snow and areas of blowing snow. High near 30. Breezy, with a south southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Saturday Night: Snow and areas of blowing snow. Low around 17. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Sunday: Snow. High near 24. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west southwest. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will update this message Saturday 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!

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.

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.