SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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In partnership with Park City Powder Cats, we'll be hosting a "hands on" avalanche workshop on Friday, March 6th and Saturday March 7th. Click here for more details. |
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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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In the wind zone, at and above treeline, there are pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Human triggered avalanches are possible, especially in steep windloaded terrain facing north, northeast, east and southeast.
The danger of wet avalanches will rise to MODERATE during the heat of the day on steep, sun exposed slopes particularly at lower elevations and human triggered avalanches are possible. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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An approaching Pacific storm will keep southwesterly winds cranking through much of the day. As a matter of fact, they’ve been nuking since Sunday with hourly averages in the 40’s and gusts in the 70’s. This morning they remain strong, blowing 40-60 mph. Under partly cloudy skies, the snowpack received a surface refreeze, but temperatures are mild, in the mid 30’s at 8,000’ and right around freezing at 10,000’. Needless to say, the riding and turning conditions are a bit underwhelming right now. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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No new avalanche activity reported or observed yesterday.
Click here for a list of recent avalanche activity in the Uinta's.
For more photos of recent avalanche activity click here |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24
hours.
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After three days of continuous blasting winds there’s not a whole lot of snow available to build dangerous wind drifts and the ones that are being created are getting welded in place. We’re finding mostly stubborn, pockety slabs on leeward slopes facing the north half of the compass, but the majority of these are tired and lifeless. Right now the avalanche conditions seem pretty benign, but one concerning factor is the shear amount of wind we’ve seen the past few days. Though not widespread, I’d continue avoiding any fat looking, rounded pillow of snow, especially if it sounds hollow under your skis or sled. |
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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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While the wind is keeping the snow surface from getting too saturated, the fact is the snowpack hasn’t seen a bomber refreeze for several nights. Shallow, damp avalanches on steep mid and lower elevations slopes can be triggered by a person, especially during the heat of the day. While manageable in size, you’re day will get ruined in a hurry if this wet, cement-like snow carries you into a terrain trap like a road cut or gully. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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Today should be partly cloudy, windy and unseasonably mild. Southwest winds will be strong along the ridges, blowing 30-40 mph with gusts in the 70’s, before switching to the west and northwest this evening and becoming a little better behaved. High temperatures at 8,000’ will be in the upper 40’s and at 10,000’ in the low to mid 40’s. Overnight lows crash into the mid teens with the arrival of a cold front slated to reach the area by around sunset. The cold front will usher in a decent shot of snow overnight, but this isn’t a huge storm and maybe we can squeeze 6” out of it by midday Thursday. Much colder and unsettled weather is on tap through the rest of the work 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
Also, Beacon Basin is up and running and located inside the orange fencing on the northeast corner of the Nobletts Trailhead. In addition, Ted installed a Beacon Park in his neck of the woods, near the Bear River trailhead on the Evanston side of the range, so here's no excuse not to be practicing with your rescue gear.
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 Mar. 7, 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. |
