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 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 26th, 2006, at 8:30 am.

If you have been out in the backcountry, please post your OBSERVATIONS with us!

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

If you would like to see some SNOWPIT profiles, click the link…and more to come.

Current Conditions:

Today wraps up Ozone’s snow kiting festival up on the Skyline and the winds will stay strong. It appears that we received 4” of new snow overnight to soften things up a bit, although in most areas you will still be able to feel the old snow surface. Temperatures have been getting colder ever since yesterday afternoon with the low temperature coming in at 7:00 am this morning…21 degrees. Things should warm up a bit, but it definitely will not be as balmy as yesterday. Enjoy this new snow while it lasts!

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

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’): 62.8” of snow on the ground. It is 21.4 degrees out at 7:00 am.

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’): There is 53.1” of snow on the ground. It is 16.7 degrees out at 7:00 am.

There is about 71” of snow on the ground at the Miller Flat Trailhead.

Mountain Weather:

Today: Partly cloudy. Chance of snow showers in the morning. Probability of measurable precipitation 50 percent. West wind 17 mph. High 34.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Northeast wind 6 mph. Low 17.
Monday: Partly cloudy. South wind 15 mph. High 42.

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

Spring has officially sprung on the Skyline, although winter is refusing to go quietly. The cold temperatures last night and expected for today is going to lock up all the old snow and the only concern will be how the new snow will be bonding. With only 4” of new snow, there isn’t enough to be concerned about today to pose a serious avalanche concern. The BOTTOM LINE is going to be an avalanche danger of LOW, which will increase to MODERATE if we start to see more snow than expected with strong winds. Be aware of changing conditions throughout the day. Secondly those monster cornices are hanging out everywhere on the Skyline. They shouldn’t pose an avalanche problem today though. Take care and we will update this tomorrow.

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