Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

 

Above treeline the avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, especially those facing the north half of the compass with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Human triggered avalanches are probable. In addition, there’s a CONSIDERABLE danger of triggering avalanches today that have the possibility of breaking into weak layers of snow near the ground, creating a larger and more dangerous avalanche than you might expect.

 

At mid elevations the avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep wind drifted slopes and human triggered avalanches are possible.

 

A LOW avalanche danger exists on wind protected slopes, especially those at lower elevations.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

 

Yesterday’s fast moving system brought a much needed shot of snow to the area with storm totals stacking up just about 8” of new snow at the upper elevations. Winds backed off around sunset and have been fairly calm overnight, blowing 5-15 mph at most locations with a few gusts in the low 20’s along the highest ridges. We’re in between storms this morning and clear skies overnight allowed temperatures to crash into negative territory. Trial Lake is reporting -5 degrees, it’s zero at the trailheads and not to be outdone Lily Lake is -11 degrees. Riding and turning conditions are slowly improving, but many locals still comment how boney it is along with the lack of a truly supportable base.

 

 

 


RECENT ACTIVITY

A tragic accident occurred Sunday inbounds at the Snowbird Resort. A 27-year-old woman was killed in an avalanche on a steep, northwest facing slope on Mount Baldy around 10,500'. She was buried for 50 minutes and found by a probe line. Our sincerest condolences go out to the loved ones and to the Snowbird Ski Patrol. Snowbird is famous for its state-of-the-art avalanche control program. As a matter of fact, people come from around the world to study and emulate the work performed by this very talented group of professionals. In-bounds avalanche fatalities are very rare. There have only been five inbounds avalanche deaths in Utah since 1950 versus 61 lightning deaths.  


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Strong west through southwest winds yesterday whipped the new snow into sensitive slabs at the mid and upper elevations and big clues to snow instability are all around us. Cracking, collapsing and whoomphing noises are being reported by just about everyone out there. Yesterday’s slabs may feel a little more stubborn and locked in place today, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re good to go. I think you can still find a pocket or two which will be sensitive to the additional weight of a rider and even shallow wind slabs triggered today could break into deeper buried weak layers. Likely terrain is mid and upper elevation leeward slopes facing the north half of the compass. Winds are expected to increase later today, so in addition to yesterday’s slabs be aware of a whole new batch of drifts forming throughout the day.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The scarier and less manageable avalanche concerns in our snowpack right now are the deeper instabilities, especially those around the Thanksgiving rain crust. In nearly all the mid and upper elevation northerly facing terrain we’ve been poking around in, we’re finding sugary facets growing underneath the crust. What makes this situation alarming is we have strong snow on top of weak snow, giving you a false sense of snow stability. Remember- hard slabs often allow a rider to get well out onto the slope before it fails, that’s what makes them so dangerous.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

 

 

A Pacific system moves into the state from the south this afternoon, spreading moisture northward through Thursday morning. After a calm start, southwest winds should begin to increase and blow in the teens at most locations, gusting into the 30’s along the higher ridges. It’ll be cold the next few days with daytime highs only reaching into the upper teens, overnight lows will be near zero. Thursday’s storm doesn’t look like a big snow producer for us, but a strong cold front is still on track for Friday giving the region a better shot of snow. Looks like we’re finally in a good pattern with storms lined up through early next week.

 

 


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Remember- your observations help to save other riders lives. So if you see or trigger any avalanches please let me know what your seeing. You can reach me at 801-231-2170 or craig@utahavalanchecenter.org

While it's quiet, now is a great time to schedule a free avalanche awareness class for your group or club. You can reach me at 801-231-2170 or craig@utahavalanchecenter.org for more details.

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted. I'll update this advisory by 7:00 am on Saturday Dec. 20, 2008.


This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.