Wasatc h
Cache National Forest
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Avalanche advisory
Sunday,
February 02, 2003
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Good Morning. This is Ethan Greene with the
Current Conditions:
Yesterday high temperatures
at 8,000 were in the upper 40s and we set a new record high of 63 degrees at
the
Storm totals this morning are
about 10 inches of snow and 0.8 water in upper Big and Little Cottonwood
Canyons, 5 inches of snow and 0.7 water along the Park City Ridgeline, 5
inches of snow and 0.3 water in the
In most mountain areas the
temperatures dropped below zero and snow started to fall about
Under the new snow there are
a variety of firm crusts. These crusts
are the strongest on east through southwest aspects. Before the cold air rolled in the entire snowpack
was wet below about 8,000.
Avalanche Conditions:
Today is going to be an
active day in the mountains. Ample
amounts of new snow and strong winds will create sensitive wind drifts along
exposed ridgelines and the sides of gullies and subridges. In areas where the new snow is able to bond
to the old surface, slides braking into the old snow are likely. This scenario is possible on all aspects, but
most likely to occur on slopes with a northerly aspect.
In mid and low elevation
areas the entire snowpack was wet prior to the storm. The cold temperatures this morning will
cause the snowpack to freeze solid this morning. However, if youre in an area where the new
snow has insolated the old wet snowpack, avalanches breaking into deeper layers
are possible. As youre moving about,
dig down below the old snow surface and if you can make a good snowball with
the old snow you might want to avoid traveling on our under steep slopes.
Bottom Line (SLC,
The avalanche danger today is
CONSIDERABLE on
all slopes above about 9,000. With more
snow and wind in the forecast the avalanche danger may rise to HIGH this afternoon. Elsewhere the avalanche danger is generally MODERATE, however there
may be localized areas below 8,500 where the snowpack is still wet and the
avalanche danger is higher.
Mountain Weather:
A moist Pacific Storm will
continue to bring snow and wind to the mountains today. Temperatures will be cooling most of the day
with highs in the mid 20s at 8,000 and upper teens at 10,000. Winds will be shifting from the southwest to
the north trough the day. I expect wind
speeds in the 15 mph range in mid elevation areas and 25 mph range along the
ridgelines. Snow will continue through
most of the day and then taper off during the late afternoon and evening. I expect an additional 5 to 8 inches by
sundown. Unsettled weather will continue
on Monday with mostly cloudy skies and scattered snow showers.
General Information:
Wasa
The Friends of the
Tonight there will be a fundraiser
for the Wasa
To report backcountry snow
and avalanche conditions, especially if you observe or trigger an avalanche,
call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to [email protected] or fax to
801-524-6301. The information in this
advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its
content. This advisory describes general
avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
I will update this advisory by
Thanks for calling!
________________________________________________________________________
National
Weather Service - Salt Lake City - Snow.
For an explanation of
avalanche danger ratings: