SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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Yesterday’s Avalanche Awareness Fundraiser was a blast and I want to thank everyone for attending and making it such a success! In particular, big thanks to Pam Madsen, Carol Breitenbuecher and the Rocky Mountain Sledders, Team Thunderstruck and Boondockers, The Edge Motorsports and Chad Booth.
We installed Beacon Basin yesterday in the northeast corner of the Noblett’s parking lot and couldn’t have done it without the help from Bill, Wally and Andy... thanks for taking time out of your day of riding.
I’d also like to thank my colleagues Ted Scroggin and Grant Helgeson for lending a hand, sharing their vast snow and avalanche expertise and knowledge with our group... you guys rock!
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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.
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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A moist, southerly flow over the region brought another round of snow showers overnight, but accumulations are light, just around an inch at the upper elevations and a trace of new snow at the trailheads. Southeast winds are rather calm, blowing 10-20 mph even along the highest ridges. Temperatures are in the mid teens at 10,000’ and low 20’s at 8,000’. The low hanging clouds and fog are a nuisance, but the riding and turning conditions have vastly improved the past few days.
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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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Other than a few wind drifts along the highest ridges, we found mostly stable snow yesterday and I think that will be the case for today as well. Winds did swing around to the southeast, an unusual direction for us, so expect a drift or two on upper elevation westerly facing slopes. Once you lose a little elevation, drifting becomes moot point.
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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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Where the snowpack is deep and strong, you're generally good to go. However, 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 slopes with a thin snowpack remain suspect. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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A storm system moving across Arizona today will continue to bring moisture into the area on a southerly flow. It looks like we can expect 1”-3” of snow today with the same amounts overnight. Temperatures remain mild with highs in the low 30’s at 8,000’ and upper 20‘s at 10,000’. Overnight lows will dip into the mid teens. Winds remain behaved, switching to the southwest later this afternoon. A cold front late Monday afternoon or early evening should bring the region a decent shot of snow, but it’s a quick hitter. None the less, we should be able to squeak 6”-8” of new snow out of it. Looks like unsettled weather through mid week. |
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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 Wednesday Feb. 11, 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. |
