US
Good morning, this Max Forgensi
with the 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 WE ARE TEACHING A FREE A.I.A.R.E. (AMEREICAN INSTITUTE
FOR AVALANCHE, REASEARCH AND EDUCATION) CLASS UP ON THE SKYLINE! THE CLASS IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 26TH-28TH. CALL 435-636-3363 TO SIGN UP. |
General Conditions: We finally received the first
snow of the New Year on Thursday night.
4” of the white stuff blanketed the Skyline. Cold artic winds continue to blast the Skyline from
the West-Northwest in the past 24 hours, transporting snow onto South-East
aspects & depositing shallow wind skins in the starting zones of
avalanche paths. Snow
conditions are decent considering we are at 58% of our normal snow water
equivalent. Trail riding will be
great, playing in meadow will be fine although the Alpine bowls will still
have plenty of ground hazards…so will some of the forest. Mountain Weather: Wind Advisory in effect until 4 pm MST Today |
Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS):
in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
|
Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’): |
24.4” |
0 |
5 |
4” new on Thursday night |
|
21” |
0 |
6 |
Winds strong out of the WNW @ 25 mph |
Wx down |
Wx down |
Wx down |
Wx down |
|
Miller
Flat Trailhead: |
32” |
0 |
~ |
58% of normal, watch for ground hazards! |
Avalanche Conditions:
(Click here
for the International Avalanche Danger Scale) We continue to have a weak snow pack structure on North-East aspects, where a faceted layer mid-pack will raise havoc…when we get a significant load. The new snow from Thursday night transported to our South-Southeast aspects where there isn’t the same weaknesses due to solar radiation and past wind scouring. For today, the Avalanche Danger will be MODERATE on steep North-Southeast aspects at all elevations. Be especially weary of newly deposited wind slabs at the top of avalanche paths on South-East aspects. They might not be very large, but they will be widespread and very reactive to a snowmobile or skiers weight. |