In partnership with: The Friends of the Utah
Wednesday,
April 09, 2003
Good Morning. This is Evelyn Lees with the
Current Conditions:
As the ridge of high pressure
strengthens over the
While yesterday was another amazing
day of powder on mid and upper elevation northerly facing slopes, by the end of
the day the warm temperatures and hot sun shrank the area of soft snow by about
50%. So today, the last uncrusted snow
will be on upper elevation, due northerly facing slopes. Elsewhere, expect sloppy, wet grabby snow by late
morning.
Avalanche Conditions:
Yesterday, direct sun and warming temperatures triggered the first
round of wet loose sluffs and wet slab avalanches. Most of the reported activity was shallow point
releases, some widening as they moved down slope. One larger slab avalanche was observed off
the easterly facing rock slabs in Broads Fork.
With overnight temperatures significantly warmer, the snow will heat up
much more rapidly today. I expect an
increase in the number of wet sluffs and slabs, with activity starting as early
as mid morning. In addition to the sunny
slopes, the steep northerly facing slopes also have snow to shed. While more predictable, wet avalanches are still
dangerous, with the potential to take you for a long ride on steep slopes, push
you over a cliff, or bury you in a gully.
Cornices are softening and becoming more sensitive with the warmer
temperatures. Avoid traveling on or below
them. Also, there may still be a few isolated places where you could trigger
one of the old wind slabs on steep, northerly facing slopes at the upper
elevations.
So if you’re heading up high for the powder or going for a long
tour today and will be out past mid morning, plan your exit for the end of the
day carefully. You don’t want to find
yourself on a steep sunny or shady slope or in a gully bottom when the snow is wet
and sloppy.
Bottom Line (SLC,
The
avalanche danger at all elevations is LOW early this morning, but will rapidly rise to CONSIDERABLE by mid morning as sunshine
and warming temperatures soften the snowpack and create the potential for wet
loose and wet slab avalanches. Expect
avalanche activity on all aspects, including northerly facing slopes.
Mountain Weather:
High pressure will remain
over the
General Information:
This coming Sunday will be the last morning advisory of the season
and we will issue afternoon updates as needed until about the end of
April. We are updating our 364-1591 line
each morning by
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: