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
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AVALANCHE ADVISORY
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Wednesday,
November 29, 2006 7:30 am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with
the
Current Conditions:
The storm is winding
down, and snow totals are in the 1 to 1½ foot range in the
Snowpack and Avalanche Conditions:
Most reports yesterday were
of stable snow. The new 1 to 2 feet of snow
had no cohesive or slab like quality, and while weak layers exist both within
the new snow and at the old snow surface, without a slab, it’s awfully hard to
trigger a slide. Sluffs
were easy to trigger, but manageable.
Today, sensitive wind
slabs could exist and be more widespread in the higher, open terrain, created
by the slightly stronger winds overnight.
The new wind drifts will most likely be along ridgelines, breakovers or
around terrain features. Cracking in the
snow and cornices are clues that you’re in an area where the wind drifted the
snow. As always, avoid any steep slope
with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
And with two feet or more of snow available for transport, be very alert
to any increase in wind speeds today. Stronger
winds will quickly drift the snow, and the avalanche danger will rise rapidly.
I am still concerned about
the old facets near ground and shady slopes with a weak, sugary snow old snow surface. Yesterday, a Big Cottonwood resort had two
slides release on the near surface facets with explosives, and there were two
small collapses on the north side of
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger
is MODERATE on slopes steeper than about 35
degrees. Moderate means human triggered
avalanches are possible. Steep, wind
affected terrain has a CONSIDERABLE danger. Carefully observe the winds today – if you
are in an area where the wind speeds increase, the avalanche danger will rise
rapidly.
Mountain Weather:
The cold, upper level
low over
Announcements:
UDOT in
Our
partners, the FUAC, will hold their next fundraiser
at Brewvies on Dec 7th. There will be two showings of TGR’s new
film, “The Anomaly”, at 7pm and 9pm.
Advance tickets are available.
We appreciate any
snowpack and avalanche observations, so please let us know by calling (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.
Brett Kobernik will
update this advisory by 7:30 on Thursday morning and thanks for calling.