Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good morning! This is Max Forgensi 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 Saturday, January 31st, 2004 at 7:30 a.m.

General Conditions:

Let it snow, let it snow! Overnight the Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL received 5” of the new stuff and is reading a temperature of 7.0 degrees. There is a total of 38.6” of snow on the ground there and up at the Miller Flat Reservoir Trailhead you can expect a little more. Be careful while traveling up to the Skyline today, as the roads will be snow packed and icy in some spots. Today is a great day to go out and recreate.

Mountain Weather:

The frontal passage has come and gone through our forecast area, leaving us with colder temperatures than yesterday and a nice blanket of low density snow. The winds were moderate and now have tapered off to light winds from the Northwest. Forecast as follows.

Today: Much colder. Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of snow. High 15 to 20 degrees.

Tonight: Colder with a 30% chance of snow. Low 0-5 degrees.

Sunday: Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of snow. High near 20 degrees.

Avalanche Conditions:

Could this get us out of our January thaw? I hope so. As with all frontal passages, wind is associated with it. This time the wind came out of the Northwest/West, so you can expect wind loading on E-SE aspects. Today is a day to look for new snow instabilities, and look around and see what Mother Nature is telling you. Actually, do that all the time! For today, expect a MODERATE hazard on wind loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees. Remember that a MODERATE rating still means that human triggered avalanches are possible and still to use extra caution when riding in avalanche terrain. Do not let your guard down! Expose only one person at a time to the hazard, i.e. avalanche terrain. Always travel safely in the backcountry.

Public Announcements:

We have some classes coming your way 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]. We are still looking for observers for the Wasatch Plateau/Skyline region. The more information we can gather, the better this advisory can be.