SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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Our third annual Avalanche Center fundraising ride is today, Saturday February 7th. Click here for more details. Hope to see y'all there! |
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BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
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Danger Rose Tutorial
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today on steep, mid and upper elevation slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow and human triggered avalanches are possible, especially on slopes with a north and east component.
In addition, there's a MODERATE danger of triggering a deep, dangerous avalanche which breaks into old snow. This condition is isolated to steep, mid and upper elevation northerly facing slopes where the snowpack is shallow and weak.
Most other slopes generally have a LOW avalanche danger. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Snow showers tapered off late yesterday and in the storms wake we received a much needed shot of snow. An evenly distributed 8” of new snow fell across the range from Daniels to Trail Lake to Chalk Creek, with about 5” at the trailheads. Yesterday’s gusty west and southwest winds are old news, they died off right around the end of the morning commute, and now are blowing 5-15 mph along most ridgelines with gusts in the low 20’s along the high peaks. Currently, temperatures are near 27 degrees at 8,000’ and 22 degrees at 10,000’. Word on the street is - you’ll still feel old tracks under the new light density snow, but if you seek out terrain of the beaten path you’ll be rewarded with the goods.
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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No new avalanche activity to report.
For more photos of recent avalanche activity click here |
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THREAT #1 |
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| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24
hours.
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Most of our avalanche problems today will be manageable, within the new snow and the drifts formed by yesterday’s blasting west and southwest winds. Winds gusted into the 50’s and 60’s, moving lots of snow around, forming slabs very sensitive to the weight of a person. If you’re getting into steep, upper elevation terrain today, you’ll want to look for and avoid any fresh wind drift. They’ll appear fat and rounded with the majority forming on slopes with a north and east component to their aspect. Fortunately the strong winds were isolated to the upper elevation ridges, so once you lose a little elevation you’ll eliminate many of the drifting issues.
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THREAT #2 |
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| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24
hours.
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On steep, mid and upper elevation, northerly facing slopes, especially those outside the core of the region where the snowpack remains weak and shallow, there’s still terrain where a rider could trigger a deep, dangerous avalanche which breaks into old snow. You know the drill by now- steep, rocky terrain with a thin snowpack remains a likely suspect.
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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After an early morning break, clouds will begin to stream into the region as another band of moisture works its way into the area. Don’t get too excited though, it doesn’t look like a big system, maybe an additional inch or two today with the same amounts expected tonight. Southerly winds remain light during the day, bumping into the 30’s along the high ridges late this afternoon. Temperatures will be mild, climbing into the low 30’s at 8,000’ and upper 20’s at 10,000’. Overnight lows should be right around 20 degrees. Light snow continues through Monday with a better shot of measurable snow Monday night as a cold front drops into the state.
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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 Feb. 8, 2009. |
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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. |
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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. |
