Wasatch Cache and Uinta National Forests

In partnership with: Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center and Utah State Parks.

Avalanche advisory

Saturday, February 22, 2003

Good Morning. This is Craig Gordon with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory for the Western Uinta Mountains including but not limited to the terrain surrounding Chalk Creek, Smith-Moorehouse, the Mirror Lake Highway, and Woodland. Recent snowpack observations on the Evanston side of the range as well as near Daniels indicate a weaker snowpack than what we’re seeing in the Central Uintas and the avalanche danger could be slightly higher in these regions.

This advisory is made possible through a generous grant provided by Utah State Parks and will be available for the rest of the winter on weekends and holidays.

Today is Saturday, February 22, 2003, and it’s 7:30 in the morning.

Current Conditions:

Under mostly cloudy skies, light snow is falling, and ridge top temperatures are in the mid teens. Winds are generally out of the west and have relaxed a bit overnight. Hourly wind speed averages are in the teens with gusts in the low 30’s reported at the most exposed mountain top locations. Yesterdays little system deposited 2” of light density snow along the upper elevation terrain surrounding the region. Good riding and turning conditions can be found, especially on wind-sheltered slopes.

Avalanche Conditions:

The storm that rolled through the area yesterday was quite elevation dependant, both with snow totals and wind. While it was a relatively calm day at lower elevations and only a few flakes fell, up in the high country, above about 9,500’, it was a different story. Strong variable winds all day created very sensitive wind drifts. By days end, these drifts were several feet deep and I was able to trigger avalanches from a distance while traveling on relatively flat terrain. Newly formed slabs are going to be the main concern today. With more snow and wind on the way the avalanches today will be deeper and could involve quite a bit of snow. Be on the lookout for wind drifts that would have developed along ridgelines as well as around terrain features such as chutes, gullies, and sub-ridges. Due to the strength and duration of the winds mid-slope loading has occurred as well.

Cornices have also grown in size and have the possibility of breaking back further than you might expect.

In addition, where the snowpack is less than about three feet in depth it just isn’t gaining much strength. In fact if anything these shallow snowpack areas have probably lost some strength in the past week or so. Snow stability tests performed yesterday indicate there is still the possibility that steep, slopes with a weak, shallow snowpack could avalanche into deeper buried weak layers near the ground. I’d continue to be suspicious of terrain that has a shallow snowpack and steep, rocky terrain or slopes that have already avalanched this season fit the bill.

If your travels take you into steep terrain today continue to be thorough with your safe travel rituals. Ride or ski a slope one at a time, get out of the way and into a safe location at the bottom of the slope, and always keep an eye on your partner. In addition, carry the appropriate rescue gear such as an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe and know how to use these tools.

Bottom Line:

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on any steep, upper elevation slope with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Human triggered avalanches are probable.

There is also a MODERATE or localized danger of triggering a deep, hard slab avalanche on northwest through east facing aspects above 9,000’ in elevation on slopes that are steeper than about 35 degrees. Dangerous human triggered avalanches are possible.

Mountain Weather:

A fast moving system will push across the region today, bringing in a quick shot of moisture. Looking at the radar it should begin to spread through the area in the next couple of hours and we could see storm totals in the 4”-8” range. Temperatures will be cooling once the front arrives which will be about midday. Highs at 8,000’ will be in the mid 20’s and at 10,000’ in the upper teens. Overnight lows will be near 10 degrees. Winds will be out of the west this morning, switching to the northwest later in the day and will remain fairly strong with gusts in the 30’s expected along the ridges. Sunday looks to be mostly cloudy, windy, and there is a slight chance of scattered snow showers. For the extended period, we remain in a fairly moist, northwest flow throughout the week. While there are no major storms in sight there is a chance of snow each day.

General Information:

If you’re getting out and about please let us know what you’re seeing, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. Call 1-800-662-4140, or 801-231-2170, or email to [email protected] or fax to 801-524-6301. Your observations could help to save someone’s life. Many thanks to those of you who called in accurate and timely snowpack information this week!

We will be offering free snowmobile specific avalanche education this year. To schedule a talk and or a field day please call 801-231-2170.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.

This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

I will update this advisory by 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2003.

Thanks for calling!