US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Good morning, this 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, December 17th, 2006, at 8:00 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.  

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

 

Current Conditions:

                A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:00 PM MST TODAY.  Currently, cloudy skies are over the Skyline and no snow has fallen this morning…yet.  Expect that to change as a cold upper low-pressure system moves into NE Utah today.   Winds will switch to the Southwest and the snow should start to fall.  Riding conditions are in need of some more of the white stuff.  Bushes and rocky areas lurk just below the snow surface, especially in the upper bowls.  There’s plenty of snowmobiling to do, just be careful of all those ground hazards and PLEASE read on to the Avalanche Conditions.

 

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

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’):  18.4”, Trace new, 22 degrees out @ 7:00 a.m.

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’):   17.4” on the ground, winds are light from the ESE , 17.4 degrees @ 7:00 a.m.

Miller Flat Trailhead:  23” of snow on the ground.  

 

Mountain Weather: WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFEFCT UNTIL 10 P.M. MST TODAY

Today: Snow. Snow accumulation 4 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 100 percent. Southwest wind 12 mph. High 16.
Tonight: Snow. Snow accumulation 1 inch. Probability of measurable precipitation 60 percent. West wind 7 mph. Low 7.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow. Snow accumulation 1 inch. Probability of measurable precipitation 20 percent. East wind 6 mph. High 20. 

 

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

            The Manti-Skyline is poised for a large avalanche cycle. Our current situation stands out in stark contrast to where we were last year.  Snow pack observations show a very weak, shallow snow pack on all aspects.  On North-East aspects, the lower third of the snow on the ground is nothing but poorly bonded, faceted grains.  These depth hoar grains have no strength, can propagate large distances and will be very sensitive if we get a decent amount of snow with strong transport winds.  This morning the avalanche danger will be MODERATE although I expect a pretty good spike in the avalanche hazard today if the forecast snow totals arrive. Remember, stay clear of avalanche run-out zones and enter avalanche terrain one at a time. 

            Don’t forget to sign up for our Level 1 AIARE course on January 26th-28th on the Skyline (Its FREE!).  Call 435-636-3363 for more info and to sign up. 

 

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