Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Advisory

Introduction:

Good Morning! This is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory for the Wasatch Plateau/Manti Skyline Region, including, but not limited to Huntington and Fairview Canyons. This advisory is brought to you through a partnership of Utah State Parks and the USFS. Today is Saturday, November, 27^th, 2004 at 8:00 a.m.

Education:

Be on the lookout for avalanche awareness classes near you! We will be teaching our first AIARE Level I Avalanche Course on the Skyline this year, if you are interested, you can contact Max Forgensi at 435.636.3363. It will be a educational three day course with an emphasis on field instruction. Call to sign up!

Current Conditions:

Thanksgiving night gave us our first significant snowfall in a while up on the Wasatch Plateu, and six inches of snow fell by Friday morning. The new snow definitely made the snowmobile and skiing conditions much better.

Currently, the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE WASATCH PLATEAU. The advisory is from late Saturday morning to Sunday morning. 7”-13” is expected within that time period.

Up on the Skyline this morning, it is 20 degrees out and there is a total of 12” at the Miller Flat SNOTEL site. The riding conditions have improved, although snowmobilers should be careful of obstacles such as rocks, stumps and logs lurking just under the surface of the snow.

Mountain Weather:

A large trough of Pacific Moisture is heading our way and snow should start to fall today and continue throughout the weekend.

Today: Cloudy with a 60% chance of snow. Accumulations of 3”-5” expected. High in the 20’s

Saturday Night: Colder. 70% chance of snow. Accumulations of 4”-8” expected. Lows at 8,000’ will be 5 to 10 above.

Sunday: Cloudy with a 60% chance of snow showers. Accumulations of 1”-3” expected. Highs at 8,000’ near 20, low 3.

Moday: Snow will be moving out of the area in the afternoon. High 28, Low 0.

Avalanche Conditions:

With a large amount of snow likely to fall on the Skyline in the next 24 hours, it is definitely time to think avalanche and how to stay safe while riding in avalanche terrain. It is still early season, and the higher northern aspects are going to be of greatest concern. The recent cold temperatures and shallow snow pack have created poor stability conditions. We are experiencing the formation of facets; both depth hoar (sugar snow) on our colder Northerly slopes and near-surface facets on the surface of the southern sun crusts. These deformations of the snow on the ground will be the weak layers that will be buried under the new snow we received yesterday and what we are expecting today. The recipe for an avalanche could be present: bed surface, weak layer, and a slab. Be careful! I am going to issue an avalanche hazard of MODERATE on northerly aspects greater than 30 degrees. Be weary of terrain traps such as steep gullies, any recently deposited wind slabs and cornice development. Below is some other things to think about before heading up.

As the snow starts to fall on the Wasatch Plateau, it is time to start thinking about how to recreate safely in the snow and mountains. And with that, one always thinks of avalanches and how to identify potential hazardous areas. There is a lot of terrain to go out and explore, a little pre-planning and knowledge goes a long way. Checking this advisory before you venture out as one of your tools is a step in the right direction. For the time being, here is some things to incorporate this year into your backcountry adventures.

Ø The early season takes us all by surprise, make sure you have packed the essentials.

Ø Change the batteries on your avalanche transceiver and remember to practice!

Ø Let someone know of your plan

Ø Go out and have fun!