Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good morning! This is Evan Stevens with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory for the Wasatch Plateau/Manti Skyline Region, including but not limited to Fairview and Huntington Canyons. This advisory is brought to you through a partnership of the US Forest Service and Utah State Parks. Today is Thursday, December 26th, 2003 at 8:00 a.m.

General Conditions:

An AVALANCHE WARNING remains in effect today as 1.5 feet of new snow has fallen accompanied by major winds. Right now there is a foot of new snow on the ground at the temperature is about 22 degrees. With the sustained winds, snow surfaces will be a mix of powder in the protected areas, and a mix of hard and soft slabs in the wind effected areas. With this new snow, many of the old exposed obstacles should be getting covered up.

Mountain Weather:

The winds will continue to blow today from the NW at 10-20mph with a high near 10 and a 50% chance of snow. Tonight it gets even colder, with a low near 0 and a 40% chance of snow showers. Tomorrow, the instability lingers, with a high near 20 and a 40% chance of snow showers.

Avalanche Conditions:

The bottom line remains quite simple today. Blizzard conditions yesterday added a foot and a half of new weight to the snow pack with amazingly strong and consistent winds. Very few people ventured out yesterday, and at times driving on the Skyline was near impossible. All backcountry travelers should avoid steep terrain and the runouts of any avalanche paths. Even short, low elevation paths had small avalanches about 1 foot deep and 50 feet wide, so be extra cautious of terrain traps and gullies.

The bottom line for today remains pretty simple: loads of new snow + sustained winds = HIGH avalanche danger on all slopes steeper than 30-35 degrees. I would also be cautious even in sheltered lower elevation locations that may be open enough to slide, as the new weight may be too much for the weaker snow in those areas. Essentially, lower slope angles and tight trees will keep you out of trouble, as long as they are not underneath any avalanche terrain. Folks without solid avalanche skills and safe travel techniques might want to stay home and enjoy some X-mas leftovers.

Public Announcements:

We have some great classes coming your way in January! And we just set one up in Ephraim in February! Take a look at our Education link on the main page. If you want to schedule a free avalanche awareness class for your snowmobile club, please call us at 435.636.3363 or leave an email at [email protected].