Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

In partnership with Weller Recreation and Summit County Search and Rescue, I’ll be giving a free avalanche awareness presentation on Tuesday Jan. 6th at 7:00 in Kamas at the Search and Rescue building on 45 East 100 North.


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

At and above treeline the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE with pockets of HIGH danger, but the consequences of triggering an avalanche are severe on all slopes approaching 30 degrees in steepness, especially those with recent deposits of wind drifted snow facing northwest, north, northeast and east. Human triggered avalanches are probable. Today’s avalanches will break into weak layers of snow near the ground, creating a large, dangerous and possibly unsurvivable slide.

At mid elevations the avalanche danger is generally MODERATE, though there are pockets CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger, especially in thin snowpack areas and human triggered avalanches are probable.

Remember- even if you're traveling on relatively flat terrain, be aware of steep slopes above and adjacent to you.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

 

Last night’s cold front raced through the region, leaving 10” of new snow in upper Chalk Creek, 6” at Trial Lake and Daniels and about 3” at the trailhead elevations. Winds shifted to the west and northwest around 9:00 last night and decreased in intensity. Currently they’re blowing 10-20 mph at most ridgeline locations, though still gusting in 30’s and 40’s along the high peaks. Temperatures are in the low teens at 10,000’ and near 20 degrees at 8,000’. The snowpack is becoming more supportable and riding conditions improved greatly with last night’s coat of new paint.


RECENT ACTIVITY

For recent accident reports click

here

For photos of recent avalanche activity click here

 


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The persistent weak layers in our snowpack are trying their best to adjust to the Christmas storm, but avalanche conditions remain tricky right now. Ted and I are still finding weak snow near the ground, both above and below the Thanksgiving rain crust, that’s reactive in our snowpit tests, especially in terrain where the snowpack is less than about 4’ deep. (Click here to see this weak snow in action... thanks Derek!). Where the pack is deeper, we’re starting to “bridge” over some of the weaknesses and things aren’t quite as tender. Remember though, we tend to trigger deep, dangerous slides from thin spots in the snowpack not where it’s thick and strong. I’d continue avoiding mid slope break overs and steep terrain with bushes and rocks poking out of it. (Click here for more pit profiles)

Sure you can get into steep terrain without incident and many people have. That being said, you’ll probably wonder why these avalanche guys are so paranoid right now about the snowpack… it’s gotta be good to go right? Well it’s kinda like constantly running red lights. You might get away with it for a while, but chances are it’ll catch up with you.

Don’t let the new snow lure you into a false sense of powder euphoria. It’s dicey out there and dangerous avalanches are still being triggered from adjacent slopes and on low angle terrain like this recent slide in Gold Hill Basin.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Yesterday’s strong southwest winds found enough snow to form shallow dense slabs on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges. I found the new slabs pretty stubborn and fairly glued in, but there may be a few pockets that remain sensitive to the weight of a rider today. As always you should avoid any fresh wind drift and these will be hard to detect today as they’re covered over with last night’s new snow. Once triggered these slabs could initiate a deeper avalanche as they descend the slope, creating a bigger slide than you bargained for.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Snow showers should linger into the early afternoon, though accumulations will be on the light side with an additional inch or so expected. Northwest winds will back off even more and blow 5-15 mph with gusts in the mid 20’s along the high ridges. Temperatures will be dropping this morning with winter-like 8,000’ highs in the mid teens and at 10,000’ near 0 degrees. Overnight lows under partly cloudy skies will be near -10 degrees. Cold, high pressure is on tap for Sunday with another small storm slated for Monday.


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 Sunday Jan. 4, 2009.


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.