US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good Evening, this is Max Forgensi 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 Saturday, January 28th, 2006 at 6:00 am.

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

NEW LINK! If you have been out in the backcountry, please post your OBSERVATIONS with us! If you would like to see some SNOWPIT profiles, click the link…and more to come.

Current Conditions:

More snow is in the forecast to freshen up the Manti-Skyline this weekend. 2”-4” has fallen on the Skyline overnight and more snow is in the forecast for Saturday meaning that conditions will be great for snowmobiling, skiing and snow-kiting. This weekend is going to be really busy so keep on parking like you do…nice and efficiently.

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

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’): 50” of snow on the ground.

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’): There is 31” of snow on the ground.

There is about 54” of snow on the ground at the Miller Flat Trailhead.

Mountain Weather:

Saturday: Snow. Snow accumulation 3 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 70 percent. Southwest wind 22 mph. High 27.
Saturday Night: Snow then snow showers. Snow accumulation 7 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 60 percent. Northwest wind 21 mph. Low 11.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of snow showers in the morning. Snow accumulation 1 inch. Probability of measurable precipitation 20 percent. West wind 22 mph. High 28.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 8.

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

More snow and wind is in the forecast for the next 24 hours. The wind is predicted to be out of the Southwest, meaning that Northwest-North-Northeast slopes could be getting some good wind loading on them by morning. The snow on the ground is generally stable these days, meaning that instabilities that you want to look out for are between the old snow and new snow interface. The past few days crept above freezing for a few hours making a sun crust on southerly aspects while Northerly aspects probably saw some near surface facets (read weak snow) being created. As always, when snow falls it is time to get your avalanche game on…start small and check the stability/instabilities before venturing out into steeper and larger terrain. The BOTTOM LINE for Saturday will be MODERATE on NW-N-NE slopes where there has been wind loading and cornice development.

Basic Avalanche Awareness and Field Day
*The advisory is also available via recorded message at (800) 648-7433