US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

 Introduction:

Good Morning, this is Dave Medara with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center 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 January 1st, 2006 at 8:30 a.m.

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

Current Conditions:

8 inches of new snow are showing at the Mammoth/cottonwood snotel site this morning. Red Pine ridge is reporting a similar amount. Expect good powder riding/skiing/boarding this morning and snowy roads. Conditions will be excellent out there today with ample winds for the Kite types as well. The new snow will be great to play on but will also spike the avalanche hazard out there today and it looks like more snow is on the way. Time to start looking at the snow with some avalanche awareness.

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

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’): 342” of snow on the ground.

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’): There is 28.2” of snow on the ground.

There is about 40” of snow on the ground at the Miller Flat Trailhead.

Mountain Weather:

Today...Windy. Partly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Highs at 8000 feet around 30. West winds 20-30 mph and gusty. Chance of snow 20 percent.
Tonight...Partly cloudy in the evening...Then mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow after midnight. Lows at 8000 feet 15-20.
Monday...Windy...Snow. Accumulation 5 inches. Highs at 8000 feet in the mid 30s. South winds 25-35 mph.
Monday Night...Windy...Snow. Accumulations possible. Lows at 8000 feet near 20. West winds 25-35 mph.

Avalanche Conditions: (Click here for the International Avalanche Danger Scale)

Overnight we’ve received the classic combination of snowfall and strong winds. The 8 or so inches that fell last night in conjunction with strong southerly and westerly winds will make for a spicy combo of great snow conditions and high avalanche hazard where the snow has drifted deep. Expect to find a HIGH avalanche hazard on E-NE-NW facing slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Expect to find a CONSIDERABLE hazard elsewhere. Human triggered avalanches are likely and there may also be some sensitive cornice development out there so careful near the edge! Practice safe travel techniques out there today: ski/ride/board one at a time and keep an eye on the person on the slopes. Be safe and Happy New Year!

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