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, January 21st, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.   This advisory will expire in 24 hours.   

             

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:

                A cold upper level low centered over Southern Utah will stay until this afternoon until it moves out of the area to the South.  A ridge of high pressure will build tonight and stay through most of the week.  Snow showers in Northern Utah should start to spread southward as the low pressure system moves out, giving a chance of snow to the Manti-Skyline.  

            Today, conditions for recreation will be great for snow kites as the forecasted winds are between 12 & 17 mph.  Snowmobiles will find good trail riding conditions and some untouched areas in meadows…be careful of ground hazards, they are out there and people are damaging their sleds.  Alpine bowls are tricky currently.  Access to them are marginal and the snow cover is variable (bare, shallow, to wind loaded) in them.  Have fun, but be careful.    

 

Mountain Weather:

Snow Advisory in effect until 12 pm MST Today
Today: Snow. Snow accumulation 2 inches. Probability of measurable precipitation 60 percent. Northeast wind 17 mph. High 20.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Slight chance of snow showers in the evening. Probability of measurable precipitation 20 percent. Northeast wind 17 mph. Low 4.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Northwest wind 9 mph. High 29.
Monday Night: Mostly clear. West wind 6 mph. Low 13.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Weather Station/ Location

Snow Depth (HS):  in./cm

New Snow (HN) in./cm

7:00 a.m. Temp (F)

Current Observations:  Wind, 48 hour snow

Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’):

25.9”

0”

6.1

Snow on the way?

Seeley Creek SNOTEL (10,000’):

20.1”

0”

1.9

Winds out of the WNW at 12 gust to 17

Skyline Wind Site (SH 31):

Wx down

Wx down

Wx down

Wx down

Miller Flat Trailhead: 

25”

~

~

COLD!!!!

 

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

            Conditions have been very benign, with the lack of any new snowfall and cold temperatures.  On North through East aspects, the High Pressure of the past week compounded with cold temperatures has faceted the upper 4” of snow, making their bonds weaker.  In the lower half of this snow pack, faceted grains exist as well.  We have a bed surface, weak layers(s) and the terrain for avalanches to slide upon.  What we need now for a LARGE avalanche cycle is a significant load.  It appears that we do not have a weather maker for this load to develop and as a result the Avalanche Danger for today will be LOW.  Travel will generally be safe, although be aware of areas of hard wind slabs on leeward sides of slopes and ridges on SE-E aspects.  We received a report of a snowmobile-triggered avalanche on one of these slopes last week which broke out a 1-1.5’ crown.  It was small and did not bury the party, it surprised them sure enough.