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
“keeping
you on top”
AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Friday,
February 22, 2008 7:30 am
Good morning, this is
Current Conditions:
A few more inches of
snow fell during the day on Thursday which helped improve riding conditions a
bit. Winds were
relatively non existent and have increased just slightly at the most exposed
locations but only averaging 15 mph from the southwest. Everywhere else wind speeds are less then 10
mph. Temperatures
are in the mid teens at the higher locations and mid 20s at the mid and lower
mountain locations.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion:
The newer snow was
sluffing on steeper slopes Thursday.
Most of these didn’t pack much punch but one backcountry observer noted
a couple that possibly could have knocked a person over if they were in just
the right spot. My observation was that
the new snow bonded well to the old surface but there was some weakness within
the newer snow. Shovel tilt tests revealed
this nicely as well as the fact that the bed surface of the sluffs in areas I
visited was a half inch to an inch above the old melt freeze and wind crusts. (Shovel Tilt “how to”
video)
For today avalanche
concerns revolve around the newest snow and snow that may fall during the day
today. Things aren’t going to get real
dangerous out there today but be aware that the avalanche danger will be on the
rise with additional snowfall. Yesterday’s
instability may be a thing of the past but check it out before dismissing
it. Push the newer snow on steep test
slopes to reveal where any weakness may be.
Again, shovel tilt tests should help identify this as well. Watch for cracking later in the day and
during periods of heavy snowfall if they should occur. This is a big indicator of instability and a
clue that the avalanche danger is rising.
Bottom Line for the
The
avalanche danger is generally LOW this morning with
minor sluffing the main concern. The
avalanche danger may rise to MODERATE this
afternoon if additional expected snowfall verifies.
Mountain Weather:
We’ll have cloudy
skies with periods of snow during the day and into tonight. 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected during the
day with another shot overnight that may produce another 6 inches or
better. Temperatures at 8000 feet will
be around 30 with higher locations in the mid 20s. Winds will pick up slightly from the
southwest. Snow tapers off Saturday then
another storm should produce snow Sunday into Monday.
Announcements
The Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly
yesterday due to weather and they will probably not fly today. For more detailed information please call
(801) 742-2800 or go to their daily
blog.
If you want to get this
avalanche advisory e-mailed to you daily click HERE.
UDOT highway avalanche control work info can be
found by calling (801) 975-4838.
Our statewide tollfree line is 1-888-999-4019 (early morning, option 8).
Watch video tututorials and fieldwork from UAC staff at our YouTube
channel.
The UAC depends
on contributions from users like you to support our work. To find out
more about how you can support our efforts to continue providing the avalanche
forecasting and education that you expect please visit our Friends page.
If you see any avalanches or interesting snow conditions, please leave us 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.