Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We now have three western Uinta specific weather stations up and running.

For Weber Canyon and upper Chalk Creek- Windy Peak (wind and temperature) and Giant Steps (snow depth and temperature)

For the region around Mirror Lake- Lofty Lake Peak (wind and temperature)


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 MODERATE today and human triggered avalanches are possible on wind drifted slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, especially those facing east, north and northeast.

In wind sheltered terrain the avalanche danger is generally LOW.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Under clear skies, temperatures dove into the single digits overnight. Currently at both 8,000’ and 10,000’ temperatures are right around 6 degrees. Southwest winds blew for most of the day Friday, dying down around dinner time and they remain light and northerly this morning, blowing less than 20 mph even along the high ridges. An evenly dispersed 4” of very light density snow fell across the range Friday, adding yet another chin tickling layer to the already over-the hood riding conditions.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No significant 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


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The midweek storm deposited over a foot of new snow which fell on a variety of old snow surfaces. Along the high terrain, at and above treeline, we found a few wind slabs on steep slopes facing the north half of the compass, but in general these were fairly stubborn and pockety in nature. Out of the wind in steep sheltered terrain, it’s easy to initiate new snow sluffs, though they’re hardly packing a punch. In either case, today’s avalanches are manageable in size, easy to detect and break at or below your skis or sled. Tweaking small test slopes or digging quick hand pits gives you a good clue to the snows’ stability and also what kind of avalanche condition you’re dealing with.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A cold, sunny day is on tap with high temperatures at 8,000’ in the mid 20’s and upper teens to low 20’s are expected at 10,000’. Overnight lows under mostly clear skies dive into the single digits. Winds will be light and northeasterly this morning, switching to the west-northwest later in the day and increasing in speed, blowing into the 20’s and 30’s along the ridges by days end. Winds should increase overnight, gusting into the 40’s as a strong looking system takes aim on the region for late Sunday. Look for increasing clouds and strong southwesterly winds Sunday, with snow developing late in the evening and continuing through Monday morning. Storm totals should be around a foot or so before high pressure builds for the rest of the 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

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 Sunday Mar. 8, 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.