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 Friday, December 2nd, 2005 at 9:30 am.  

 

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

 

This weekend the folks from OZONE is hosting a snow-kiting festival on December 3rd and 4th.   Demos and lessons will be available for anyone who shows up on top the Skyline!

 

Current Conditions:

                Snow has been the norm up on the Manti-Skyline for this past week, 2” fell last night, 10” fell in the past 72 hours and 20” of snow has fallen in the past seven days.  Today will be warmer and snow is still in the forecast.  The roads will be snow covered so drive with caution.  The biggest factor for today and into the weekend will be the winds, which will be increasing the avalanche hazard, so read on. 

 

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

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’):  15.0” of snow on the ground, 33 degrees at 9:00 a.m.

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’):  There is 8” of snow on the ground, 31 degrees at 9:00 a.m.

 

Mountain Weather: 

Today...Windy. Snow. Accumulation 1-2 inches. Highs at 8000 feet in the lower 30s. West winds 20-30 mph.
Tonight...Snow showers likely. Accumulation 1-3 inches. Lows at 8000 feet 10-15. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Saturday...Breezy. Snow likely. Colder. Accumulation 1-2 inches. Highs at 8000 feet 15-20. West winds 15-25 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

 

Avalanche Conditions: 

                10” of snow has fallen in the past 72 hours which means that the winds have plenty of snow to transport around and deposit on leeward slopes and ridges.  The winds for the next 48 hours will be predominantly coming from the west and fast enough to start building cornices and wind slabs on North through East aspects.  You can expect freshly formed cornices to be tender this weekend and wind slabs on North through East aspects to be 12-24 inches deep.  This new slab formation is lying on top of weak faceted snow grains that formed during the last high pressure system. 

                For the AVALANCHE  hazard today, the Bottom Line is going to be MODERATE on those North through Easterly aspects.  As more snow falls and wind blows, the avalanche danger rating could rise to pockets of CONSIDERABLE on slopes greater than 35 degrees in the afternoon.  A CONSIDERABLE hazard rating means that natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable on those steep N-E aspects.   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