Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

In upper elevation terrain at and above treeline the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on all steep wind drifted slopes, especially those with an easterly component and human triggered avalanches are probable.

In mid elevation terrain a MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep wind loaded slopes and human triggered avalanches are possible.

Out of the wind and at low elevations the avalanche danger is generally LOW.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

A vigorous, cold system is bearing down on the state and we can expect very windy conditions this morning before the front slams into the region. In fact, west and northwest winds increased around 7:00 last night. Hourly averages were in the 35-45 mph range, but reached their zenith around 1:00 this morning, gusting to 95 mph at Windy Peak. As of 5:00 this morning it’s blowing 40-70 mph. It seems slightly calmer around Mirror Lake, blowing 25-60 mph, though anywhere you travel it’s downright blustery. Because of the wind, overnight snow totals are a little hard to get a handle on. It looks like 6” is a good bet in most upper elevation terrain from Trial Lake northward with about half that amount around the Daniels area. Temperatures are in the mid teens at 10,000’ and near 20 degrees at the trailheads. Riding and turning conditions are going to be a mixed bag and you’ll need to hunt out very sheltered terrain in order to get the goods.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No significant new avalanche activity.

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.

This winter thing is overrated… spring is where it’s at this year. As a matter of fact, since the first day of spring the constant barrage of cold systems out of the northwest has benefited areas like the North Slope where 56” of snow has fallen since the 20th of March. Trial Lake clocks in at 48” and the Daniels area is checking in with just over 36”. Brief breaks in the weather helped the snowpack adjust to all the added weight and most of our avalanche problems have been manageable, within the new storm snow.

The equation is beginning to change however, as winds nuked overnight, forming a stiff, hard slab that will feel solid under your machine or skis and therein lays the problem. Hard slabs are notoriously unpredictable, allowing riders to get well out onto a slope before it fails. Once triggered, today’s avalanches could break into older storm snow, creating a much deeper slide than you bargained for. It’s gonna be tricky out there today and winds formed slabs further down slope than we usually see. In addition, you can expect drifting and cross-loading in and around terrain features like chutes, gullies and sub-ridges.

Today you’ll want to get some solid information before committing to steep terrain. Tweak small test slopes and road cuts similar to what you want to ride and look for signs of snow instability. Remember- recent avalanches, cracking and whoomphing sounds are huge clues to unstable snow.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Strong northwest winds are the glaring headline this morning and they’ll be more than just a nuisance, blowing 35-45 mph with gusts near 90 mph along the high ridges. Another piece of energy is moving into the region and we should see a brief burst of snow around sunrise, stacking up an additional 4”-6” before this system exits the region. High temperatures today only reach into the mid 20’s at 8,000’ and upper teens at 10,000’. Overnight lows under clearing skies should be near 5 degrees. Partly cloudy skies and a slight warming trend are on tap for Thursday, with another system slated to move into the region Thursday night, lingering into the weekend.


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.

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 Apr. 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.