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 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, November 27th, 2005 at 7:45 am.  

 

To check out past advisories, go to ARCHIVE.  To check out the current, go to our WEATHER page. 

 

Current Conditions:

                Cold temperatures and winds are on tap for the Manti-Skyline on this blustery Sunday.  The storm has left a 6” blanket of snow on most areas, and the wind that has remained quite steady out of the west has been depositing this snow on easterly aspects throughout the night and into the morning.  Expect cornice development and drifts of 12”-18”.  A HEAVY SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM MST SUNDAY for the Manti-Skyline.   With this new snow, Highway 31 will have reduced visibility and snow on the roads.  Welcome to Winter! 

 

Click the links below to find out up to date information at these weather stations on the Skyline. 

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’):  8.3” of snow on the ground, 10 degrees at 6:00 a.m.

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’):  There is 7” of snow on the ground, 4 degrees at 6:00 a.m.

 

Mountain Weather: 

 

Today...Windy with snow showers. Colder. Accumulation 2-5 inches. Highs at 8000 feet in the lower 20s. West winds 20-30 mph.
Tonight...Breezy. Partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Lows at 8000 feet 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds 15-25 mph.
Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs at 8000 feet in the mid 20s.

 

Avalanche Conditions: 

                The 6” we received so far has definitely freshened up the conditions on the Skyline, and hopefully the next five days will bring us more.  With this new snow, it is time to start thinking avalanche when you head out to your Wasatch Plateau backyard.  The winds, temperatures and snowfall amounts all work in conjuction to tell us something about the stability.  Obviously, wind scoured areas will be the safest areas to travel, but that is not where the goods are.  They are located on those easterly aspects on steep, wind-loaded slopes.  You will also find some of this blown powder in the trees too, ground hazard will exist and make travel difficult.  I hope those meadows are holding snow out Miller Flat T.H.! 

                For the AVALANCHE  hazard today, the Bottom Line is going to be MODERATE on those steep easterly aspects.  This means natural avalanches will be unlikely and human-triggered avalanches are possible.  Cornice development along the top will be occurring throughout the day.  When cornices grow rapidly, that is the time they are the most unstable, so be careful! 

                Once again, get out and practice with your transceivers as well.  Lets build good habits from the get go.  If you do not own an avalanche transceiver, there are a couple stores in the Sanpete Valley that sells them, hmmm a Christmas present? 

 

                *The advisory is also available via recorded message at (800) 648-7433