Wasatc h
Cache National
Forest
In partnership with: The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center, Utah Department of Public Safety Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, and Utah State Parks
The Utah Avalanche
Center Home page is: http://www.avalanche.org/~uac/
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Avalanche advisory
Wednesday,
January 05, 2005
Good morning, this is Evelyn
Lees with the
Current Conditions:
The storm finally pulled into
town last night, and as of 6 am, new snow amounts vary from 4 to 7, with
densities of 5%. The winds have just shifted
to the west, and should increase into the 10 to 20 mph range later this
morning. Temperatures are in the teens. There is powder, powder, powder as far as the
eye can see, on all aspects and elevations, and yesterday low angle slopes had
superb riding and snowshoeing conditions.
Avalanche Conditions:
Yesterday, ski cuts easily released
the new wind drifts that were formed by the strong southeasterly winds. These drifts averaged 12 to 20 deep, and are now
hidden under the new snow. New snow
avalanche problems today will include these older drifts, plus any fresh wind drifts
that form along the ridgelines. Loose sluffs
within the new snow will also be possible on steep slopes.
Yesterday was the first day since
December 31st that there were no reports of deeper slides being triggered.
In the 4 day period ending January 3rd,
there were 20 human triggered slides in the backcountry, with most breaking on the
loose, faceted snow that was on or near the surface around Christmas. These slides averaged 1-3 deep, 1 - 200
wide, were on north through southeast facing slopes and all but one was below 10,000'.
Before the last storm, the
old snow surface was as variable as cell phone calling plans, and it is very difficult
to determine exactly which slope may slide with your added weight. While there are only localized places where a
person could trigger one of these deep slides, if you do it will be large and dangerous
(Limelight, PC ridgeline, 1/2/05).
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on northwest through southeast
facing slopes approaching 35 degrees and steeper, and on any steep slope with
recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
This means human triggered avalanches are probable and natural
avalanches possible. Other steep slopes
have a MODERATE danger. If the winds increase more than forecast, the
new wind drifts will become more widespread and sensitive.
Mountain Weather:
A moist, westerly flow over
northern
The Wasatch Powderbird Guides
did not fly yesterday because of weather and if possible, will be in
Registration for
the Friends of the
Free Beacon Rescue
Training Centers are now open at Snowbird and the Canyons. For more information go to
wasatchbackcountryrescue.org.
We do an early morning update
around 6am each day on the 364-1591 line.
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 7:30 on Thursday
morning.
Thanks for calling
________________________________________________________________________
For an explanation of
avalanche danger ratings: