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

wednesDAY April 6, 2005

 

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. Today is Wednesday, April 6, 2005 and it’s 7:00 a.m.

 

Announcements:

A beacon-training center has been installed at the Nobletts trailhead and “Beacon Basin” up and running!
Many thanks go out to Backcountry Access for supplying all the equipment, Doug Page and all the 
volunteers who provided manpower, Jim Conway who was the brains behind the operation, and the
Kamas and Heber Ranger Districts, along with State Parks and The Utah Snowmobile Association
for their in-kind support. Swing by and check it out before going on the snow. It’s free and within walking 
distance from the parking lot.
 
The Moffit Peak weather station is back in operation. This site was made possible through generous donations
from BRORA, The Utah Snowmobile Association, and the National Weather Service. You can view data by clicking here.

 

For recent avalanche photos click here.

 

Current Conditions:

A warm ridge of high pressure will be over the area today and we’re already beginning to feeling it’s effects. This morning, temperatures are nearly 20 degrees warmer than yesterday at this time. Along the ridge tops it’s 28 degrees and down at the lower elevation trailheads it’s in the low 20’s. With clear skies overnight, I think the snowpack would’ve gotten a good refreeze, but it’s going to be short-lived today. There’s still some good riding and turning to be had and Monday’s storm snow has settled out to about 6”. If you’re looking for powder though, you’ll need to go to the high country and search out due north facing slopes. Every off aspect that has seen any sun is crusty and tricky, especially if you’re on skis.  

 

Avalanche Conditions: 

Monday’s storm helped to freshen up the riding conditions and yesterday I was amazed at how good the coverage is across the range. Everywhere you look, places that haven’t been able to ride in years are fat and filled in. It’s a great time of year to explore new places and with sunny skies and long days coupled with a solid base- you can go just about anywhere. If you’re enthusiasm is taking you into steep upper elevation terrain today, be on the lookout for newly formed wind drifts along the leeward side of ridges. Yesterday I was able to knock some of these shallow wind slabs down and on continuously steep slopes; these new snow avalanches were entraining a lot of snow as they descended the slope. While probably not large enough to bury you, they could trip you up or knock you off your machine and take you for a ride. The other factor to be aware of today is the warming temperatures and the possibility of wet slides and sluffs. Once again, on a slope with continuous steepness I think a lot of snow could pile up if you were to trigger a wet slide, especially during the heat of the day. By following the usual spring ritual of getting on the snow early and off, once it starts getting damp and sloppy, you’ll significantly reduce your chances of triggering or getting caught in a wet avalanche. Temperatures will be rising rapidly today and wet avalanche activity may begin earlier in the day than we’re used to. Remember to pay attention to obvious signs of heating such as roller balls cascading down the slope.   

 

Bottom Line:

The avalanche danger is LOW this morning but will rapidly rise to MODERATE on all sun-exposed slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Human triggered avalanches will be possible.

On continuously steep slopes the avalanche danger may even rise to CONSIDERABLE with daytime heating, meaning human triggered avalanches are probable and natural avalanches possible.

 

Mountain Weather:

The ridge of high pressure will begin to shift east of the region tonight and a mild southwest flow will develop, allowing temperatures to soar in the next couple of days. Today you can expect mostly sunny skies with highs at 10,000’ in the low 40’s and at 8,000’ in the low to mid 50’s. Overnight lows will be in the lower 30’s. Winds will be light and variable. Thursday should start out similar, though clouds, wind, and temperatures will all be increasing throughout the day as the next Pacific system starts to affect the region. A chance of snow develops late in the evening and Friday should be windy with snow showers and much cooler temperatures. It looks like another good system is lining up for the weekend and I’ll have a better handle on it for Saturdays advisory.

 

General Information: 

We’re interested in 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 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 Apr.9, 2005.

 

Thanks for calling!