US Forest Service Manti-La
Sal National Forest
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 Ephraim, Huntington and Fairview
Canyons. This advisory is brought to
you through a partnership of Utah State Parks and the USFS. Today is Sunday, March 20th, 2005 at 7:30 am.
Current Conditions:
Snow! Winter is back with a SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST. The Seeley Creek SNOTEL picked up
4 overnight and you can expect about the same at the tops of Fairview and
Huntington Canyons. Drifting and
blowing of snow will continue throughout the day, deteriorating road conditions
and reducing visibility. Go up and
enjoy the snow, and the wind if youre a Kite-Boarder, there winds will be
pretty consistent out of the west. The
sun-crusts will still be able to be felt under snowmobiles and skis, this snow
will help though!
Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL:
45
of snow on the ground. The high
temperature yesterday reached 57 degrees!
It is currently 27 degrees out at 6:00 am.
Miller Flat Trailhead: There is at least
48 of snow on the ground.
Seeley Creek SNOTEL:
There is 45 of snow on the ground.
The high temperature yesterday reached 32 degrees at this SNOTEL
stake. It is currently 23 degrees at
6:00 am.
Mountain Weather:
SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST.
Sunday: Breezy. Snow.
Accumulations of 4-8 expected.
Temperatures will reach the lower 30s.
Winds will be out of the West at 15-25 mph.
Sunday night: Breezy. Cloudy with snow likely. Accumulations of 1-3 expected. Low temperatures will be in the 20s. Winds will be out of the Northwest at
15-25. Chance of precipitation is
60%.
Monday: Mostly
cloudy. Chance of precipitation is
40%. High at 8,000 in the mid
30s.
Avalanche Conditions:
Last night and
today you can expect the snow and strong winds to increase the avalanche
danger. Winds will be primarily out of
the West throughout the day. Expect
wind drifts and cornices to develop on the leeward, East facing slopes. Shallow soft slabs 1-2 thick will continue
to develop throughout the day and so will the tender cornices. How will the new snow bond to the old snow
surface? I am guessing not very good
considering it was a very smooth crust in most areas. The avalanche danger has risen!
The Bottom Line for today for the Skyline, I am going to rate the
avalanche danger at MODERATE, especially on
steep slopes greater than 35 degrees on NE-E slopes. Visibility will be decreased
for the traveler today, especially on top of the ridges, use extra caution so
you dont fall off unexpectedly.