Wasatch Cache National Forest
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 Salt Lake County.

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AVALANCHE ADVISORY

Thursday, October 18, 2007  2:00 pm
Good evening, this is Brett Kobernik with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather information.  Today is Thursday, October 18, 2007 and it’s about 8:00 pm.

 

We are now issuing avalanche statements as weather and snow conditions dictate for the beginning of the 2007-2008 winter season.  We will be in the office on and off over the next few weeks as well.  You can reach us by calling 524 5304 or e-mail us at [email protected].  Keep in mind it may take a few days if you are looking for a return message.

 

Current Conditions:

The last storm that started Tuesday produced 10 to 20” of medium density snow depending on elevation and aspect.  Temperatures during the storm were cold and were accompanied by some strong wind speeds at the higher elevations from the west northwest.  The new snow lies directly on the ground below around 8800’ and lies on some old snow from earlier in the month at the higher elevations.  There is now enough snow for a number of people to start recreating in and consequently we need to start thinking avalanches.  Click here for some early season reminders.

 

Avalanche Discussion:
My field day today was quite pleasurable and non eventful.  I was able to find some slight weakness within the new snow and saw evidence of some small loose snow avalanches that occurred during the storm.  Click here for more details from my day.  The most interesting observation was some rippled snow which shows that the winds were indeed blowing at some point during the storm.  This can cause large deposits of snow on the lee sides of ridges that can be sensitive.  A group found one of these areas today high on Mt Baldy and triggered an impressive avalanche.  No one was caught in it.  It was estimated at around 200’ wide and possibly up to 4’ deep.  Click here for photos and a few details.

 

While many areas did not get affected by the wind it is obvious that you should approach these upper elevation northerly facing slopes that did with caution.  Check to see if the snow depth is much deeper then other areas you’ve been traveling in by inverting your ski pole and inserting it through the snow.  Always pay attention to cracking of the snow while you travel through it.  Don’t be the first to end up on our accident page this year.  Try to combat early season “powder fever” with wise decision making.  Needless to say that there are plenty of hidden rocks and stumps within the thin snowpack to watch for as well.

Mountain Weather: 

Northwest winds are now picking up along the upper ridgelines gusting into the mid 40s.  Winds will shift to a more southerly direction on Friday with temperatures warming quite a bit.  This may affect the recent snow so watch for rollerballing which is an indicator that things are getting wet.  The focus is on another storm scheduled for Saturday which should bring some more snow the high country.  Fairly good dynamics, a half inch to an inch of water and cold temps in a northwest flow should produce at least another 6” if not more.  Things taper off on Sunday with a ridge building for most of the week which will warm temperatures dramatically.  However, models do show somewhat of storm at the end of next week.  It’s a bit too far out to bank on that though.

Announcements:
UDOT highway avalanche control work info can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our statewide tollfree line is 1-888-999-4019 (early morning, option 8).

For our classic text advisory click HERE.

We appreciate any snowpack and avalanche observations we’ve been getting, so if your getting out there give us a call and leave a message at (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at [email protected]. (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.

 

We will more then likely update this advisory again during the weekend if conditions warrant.