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 Friday, January 7th, 2005 at 7:30 a.m.

 

Education:

 Be on the lookout for avalanche awareness classes near you!  We will be teaching two AIARE Level I Avalanche Course on the Skyline this year, if you are interested, you can contact Max Forgensi at 435.636.3363.  They will be an educational three day course with an emphasis on field instruction.  The January course is full, although the February 4th-6th class is open.  Call to sign up!

 

Current Conditions:

            Snow, wind, snow and more wind.  The Manti Skyline is under a HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK for today and tomorrow.  Very strong winds and periods of heavy snowfall could cause considerable blowing and drifting of snow, increasing the avalanche hazard and compromising road conditions.  The Skyline has received close to 24” since the New Year, 6” falling last weekend and an additional 14” of snow falling early this week.  Natural avalanche activity has and will continue to happen throughout the weekend.  There is plenty of snow on everyone’s favorite designated trails and powder fields, once again this weekend will be a good time to stay away from the steeper terrain until the snow stops falling and wind stops a blowing. 

 

Mountain Weather:

Snow and wind, snow and wind.  Periods of poor visibility.   

Today:   VERY WINDY.  Slight chance of snow in the morning then snow developing in the afternoon.  Accumulations up to 3” expected.  High at 8,000’ in the mid-20’s.  Winds will start out of the Southwest at 20-30 mph, increasing to 30-40 mph while the wind direction veers to the South.

TONIGHT:  Strong winds out of the Southwest at 35-45 mph.  Periods of heavy snow.  Accumulations of 4-8” expected.  Low temperatures around 15 degrees.

Saturday:  More snow and wind.  Check the advisory tomorrow morning, the weather is quite unstable. 

 

Avalanche Conditions:

                 The Skyline is setting up for another large avalanche cycle, strong winds and heavy snow will be loading the weak snow pack on the slopes.  The avalanche danger is rising on all aspects and at all elevations, especially on leeward sides of ridges and peaks.  With strong winds expected out of the SW-S, the slopes on N-NE aspects will be being loaded by the winds.  To increase the problem with these N-NE aspects, they also hold the weakest snow on the ground currently.  Anyone up on the Skyline this past week should have noticed a sizable natural on the Big Drift.  (N-NE aspect)  The Big Drift failed during this past weekend’s storm.  You can bet many more cornices and steep slopes will fail under the current and expected snow loads.  I am going to rate the avalanche danger at MODERATE this morning, with the avalanche danger at CONSIDERABLE on slopes greater than 35 degrees.  The avalanche danger could increase to HIGH in response to more snow and wind throughout the day and into tomorrow as the storm continues.  Keep your slope angles today below 30 degrees, and travel a safe distance from the run-out zones of avalanche paths.  Travel in places that you have some visibility (in trees) or on designated travel routes that stays clear of avalanche terrain.  For the next couple of days, let Mother Nature play with the steep terrain.