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.

SPECIAL Avalanche ADVISORY

THURSday DECEMber 9,2004

Good morning, this is Craig Gordon with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with a special avalanche and mountain weather advisory for the western Uinta Mountains. Today Thursday, December 9, 2004 and it’s 7:30 a.m.

Announcements:

We have installed a weather station in the Moffit Peak area. Click here to see temperatures and wind data.

Many thanks go out to the Utah Snowmobile Association and BRORA for their generous contributions.

Avalanche Conditions:

Strong winds, heavy snow, and rising temperatures have prompted me to issue a special avalanche advisory today. There is an AVALANCHE WARNING in effect for the western Uinta Mountains. People without well-developed rescue and travel skills should avoid backcountry travel today.

Bottom Line:

The avalanche danger is HIGH today on all steep slopes with recent deposits of wind-drifted snow. Both human triggered and natural avalanches are likely.

Mountain Weather:

The storm has one last gasp left in it and periods of snow should continue with an additional 4”-8” expected today. High temperatures at 8,000’ will be in the mid 30’s and at 10,000’ in the upper 20’s. Overnight lows will be near 30 degrees. Westerly winds will be the big story for one more day blowing at speeds of 25-35 mph with gusts in the 50’s along the ridges. High pressure will build on Friday bringing a strong warming trend for the weekend.

General Information:

We’re interested in what you’re seeing especially if you observe or trigger an avalanche. Call 1-800-662-4140, or 801-231-2170, or email to [email protected] or fax to 801-524-6301 and fill us in with all the details.

If you’d like to schedule a free snowmobile specific avalanche 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 Saturday Dec.11, 2004.

Thanks for calling!