In partnership with: Utah Division of State
Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department
of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and
AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Saturday,
April 01, 2006 7:30 am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with
the
Current Conditions:
Last night’s quick moving
storm system dropped 4 to 6” of snow in the Cottonwoods and on the
Recent Avalanche Activity & Snowpack Discussion:
Two late morning reports of
backcountry avalanche activity included a second hand report that cornice
kicking along the Cardiff ridgeline producing a couple slab avalanches on
steep, northerly facing slopes, the largest 12 to 16” deep, and 150’ wide. Another person was able to easily trigger
wind slabs, 35 to 65’ wide, 8 to 14” deep, on steep upper elevation wind
effected northerly facing slopes in the Claytons and Wolverine areas. Those who carefully avoided wind affected
terrain found the pattern of frequent small storms has allowed the new snow to stabilize.
This morning, be alert for
and avoid any new and old drifts of wind blown snow. With two days of southerly winds, the drifts
will be most widespread on slopes facing the north half of the compass and
along the ridgelines. But last night’s
stronger winds will have also cross
loaded snow mid slope in open bowls, at breakovers, along gully walls and
sub ridges. This afternoon, the
avalanche danger will increase when the cold front arrives. There is potential for a several hours of
heavy snowfall, accompanied by moderate westerly winds. So the danger of new snow avalanches could
spike this afternoon, when it will become easy to trigger new snow sluffs and soft wind
drifts, especially in the wind affected terrain.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning
on mid and upper elevation slopes steeper than 35 degrees, especially with
recent drifts of wind blown snow. The
avalanche danger may rise to CONSIDERABLE
on steep, wind drifted slopes this afternoon with the arrival of the cold
front, especially if you’re in an area of heavy snowfall combined with
wind. If the sun comes out for any
significant period of time this morning, the danger of wet loose sluffs will
rise to moderate on steep, sunny slopes.
Mountain Weather:
A cold front will move
through the area this afternoon into this evening. This morning, skies will be partly cloudy,
with temperatures in the low 30’s at 8,000’ and the low 20’s at 10,000’. The southwesterly winds will generally be in
the 15 to 25 mph range, with strong gusts across the most exposed peaks and
ridgelines. With the arrival of the
front, lightning is possible, and snow will be heavy at times, with
accumulations of 4 to 8” expected. Winds
will shift to the west, and temperatures will cool into the mid teens at
10,000’. Snow should end by midnight,
with a break in the action on Sunday and Monday. A stronger and colder Pacific storm will
impact the state Tuesday and Wednesday.
Announcements:
Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report
at 364-1591.
Click here to check out our new online avalanche
encyclopedia.
Click HERE for a text
only version of the avalanche advisory.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE.
UDOT also has a highway avalanche
control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and
The Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email [email protected] or fax 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.
Drew Hardesty will update this
advisory by 7:30 Sunday morning. Thanks for calling.