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 Tuesday, November 28th, 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 weather, go to our WEATHER page.

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

For more information on snowmobiling on the Skyline, click this LINK

Current Conditions:

The first winter storm of the season has blanketed the Skyline with over 16” of new snow in the past 24 hours. Expect snow and blowing snow conditions throughout the day. Road crews will be working hard throughout the Sanpete Valley and over Highway 31. This new snow could be covering ground hazards lurking just below the snow surface, use caution and try not to wreck your new snowmobile in this first shot of snow.

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

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’): 15” new, 20” on the ground, 15 degrees out

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’): 16” new, 21” on the ground, winds are 15mph gusting to 22 out of the WNW, 11 degrees.

Mountain Weather:

Heavy Snow Warning in effect until 11 pm MST Today
Today: Snow. Snow accumulation 8 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 90 percent. West wind 17 mph. High 13.
Tonight: Snow showers. Snow accumulation 8 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 90 percent. Northwest wind 12 mph. Low 4.
Wednesday: Snow showers. Snow accumulation 4 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 70 percent. Northwest wind 15 mph. High 8.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Northwest wind 9 mph. Low 0.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. Northeast wind 3 mph. High 31

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

Any time there is a considerable amount of accumulation of new snow and sustained winds over 15mph, the potential for avalanches is increased. Please use caution when traveling in avalanche terrain, always look for signs of instability such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, whoomphs and cornice development. For today the avalanche danger for the Manti Skyline will be CONSIDERABLE on North through East aspects with slope angles greater than 35 degrees. In all other areas the avalanche danger will be MODERATE.

The advisory is also available via recorded message at (888) 999-4019 option 6 or at (800) 648-7433