BOTTOM LINE

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

Danger Rose Tutorial

MODERATE avalanche dangers persist in SE Utah with our extremely weak E-NE-NW facing snowpack and the possibility of wet slides on warm sunny slopes. We have not made the transition to spring conditions yet in the high country, and dry winter snow on these E-NE-NW facing slopes is still your best bet for decent skiing and riding conditions. As this is where the highest avalanche danger is, you'll have to do some snowpack analysis.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Aoother warm but windy day is in store for SE Utah today. While supportable crusts have been reported at low elevations and in some sunny areas, corn skiing isn't exactly in shape yet. E-NE-NW facing slopes at mid to low elevations will continue to provide the best skiing and riding conditions

Roads into the La Sals have are passable. 4wd or chains recommended though. No access problems expected in the Abajos.

No work has been done on La Sal Nordic system. Volunteers are getting scarce!

THREAT #1

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 24 hours.

Click here for an explanation of the North American Danger Rating system

Winter conditions remain in the high country. Weaker old snow on E-NE-NW facing slopes continues to be loaded by SW winds. One could not discount the possibility of an avalanche on these slopes near and above treeline, particularly in the 10-11,000 ft range. MODERATE or Level 2 avalanche dangers can be expected in the La Sal and Abajo Mountains on steep E-NE-NW facing slopes. Snowpack analysis required for entry to big steeps!

THREAT #2

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 8 hours.

10,000 foot temperatures are supposed to hit 40 today with wind. Th is will likely keep wet slide danger to a minimum at least up high in the Alpine zone. Wet slides are still a problem at lower elevations.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

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

Today:

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Windy, with a south southwest wind between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Tonight:

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Breezy, with a south wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Monday:

A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Windy, with a south wind between 30 and 35 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday Night:

Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 14. Windy, with a southwest wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to between 15 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday:

A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Tuesday Night:

A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Wednesday:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Wednesday Night:

Mostly cloudy and windy, with a low around 18.

Thursday:

Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 35.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will update this message by Wednesday 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.