Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Skyline Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Saturday - March 15, 2014 - 6:52am
bottom line

Overall, the avalanche danger is MODERATE this weekend and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep, wind drifted slopes. While not widespread, avalanches still have the possibility to break deep and wide, especially on steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass.

The danger of wet avalanches will rise to MODERATE with daytime heating.




special announcement

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current conditions

Skies are partly cloudy this morning and temperatures in the upper 20's. Last night's storm delivered an inch or two of new snow across the range, but the big news was the wind. As the front moved through the area, west and northwest winds cranked into the 50's and 60's near the high peaks. They started mellowing around midnight and are currently blowing 20-30 mph along the ridges. Riding and turning conditions remain quite good, especially on wind sheltered shady slopes.

Darce and Steve were in Seeley Canyon yesterday and found excellent riding conditions with good stability. Their trip report can be found here.

recent activity

This slide was unintentionally triggered last Saturday on south west side of Jolley's hole between Ephraim and Manti canyons.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

The most obvious and most predictable avalanche problem is shallow, fresh drifts which formed overnight. Easy to detect by their fat, rounded appearance, take care that a shallow slab doesn't catch you off guard and knock you off your feet, especially in steep, unforgiving terrain.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

The good news is, the old weak snow from early in the season has gained some strength, especially where the snowpack is deep. However, where the pack remains shallow, like around bushes and rocks barely hidden under the snow, there are still places where a person may still be able to trigger a large avalanche that breaks to the ground. Steep, rocky slopes facing the north half of the compass remain suspect and should be approached with caution. Chances for triggering a deep scary avalanche this weekend are low but consequences are high.

Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

The sun is high in the sky and it's intense this time of year, rapidly heating the snow surface. Make sure you have an exit strategy planned when slopes become wet during the heat of the day. Avoid being below steep slopes and in confined terrain such as gullies where wet, cement-like snow can pile up very deeply..

weather

It'll be a beautiful day on the Skyline with sunny skies and cool daytime highs only reaching into the mid 30's. Northwest winds are going to be a nuisance along the high ridges, blowing 20-30 mph, but should decrease late in the day. High pressure moves overhead on Sunday and it'll be yet another beautiful spring day, before a quick hitting storm slides through the region Monday and Tuesday, delivering a few inches of snow. High pressure builds for mid week and another storm is slated for Thursday/Friday.

general announcements

Donate to your favorite non-profit –The Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

 

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

This advisory will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday, March 22nd, 2014 or sooner if conditions warrant.