Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

A Special Avalanche Advisory has been issued for the western Uinta Mountains. Heavy snow combined with strong winds has rapidly overloaded a weak, pre-existing snowpack and dangerous human triggered avalanches are probable on steep wind drifted slopes.


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

At mid and upper elevations the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today and dangerous human triggered avalanches are probable, especially on steep, wind drifted slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. In the wind zone above treeline the avalanche danger is HIGH on steep wind drifted slopes and human triggered avalanches are likely. A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in lower elevation terrain and regions that received less storm snow.

If you’re looking for terrain with LOW avalanche danger, stick to groomed trails and low angle meadows with no steep terrain above or adjacent to where you’re riding.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Snow continued to stack up overnight with an additional 6”-8” on the North Slope and around the Mirror Lake Highway and 2” or so in the Daniels and Strawberry regions. Storm totals for the North Slope are nearing 2’. Winds have been ruthless the past 24 hours, blowing out of the west and northwest 15-30 mph at most locations, though along the high ridges they’re gusting to 60 mph. Under mostly cloudy skies this morning, light snow is falling and temperatures are in the mid teens at 8,000’ and near 10 degrees at 10,000’.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Visibility has limited our sight seeing opportunities and there's no new avalanche activity to report. Click here for recent observations.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Our weak snowpack is up against the ropes, reeling from the combination of heavy dense snow and nuking winds from our recent storm. I’m sure some steep slopes have avalanched naturally, though many still wait for a trigger like us to come along and knock the legs from out under them. There’s no need to pull the dogs tail today. Avalanches triggered can break into weak layers of snow near the ground, producing a large and very dangerous slide. If you’re headed out for some late season riding or turns remember the Uinta snowpack isn’t deep and strong and the places we usually head for late in the season have remained thin and weak all winter, especially on the east side of the range.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

There's plenty of slick bed surfaces for avalanches to run on and they're packing more of a punch than you might expect. In addition, avalanches triggered in the new snow can break into weaker layers of snow, especially on steep rocky slopes with a shallow, fragile snowpack. Due to the strength of the wind, drifting has occurred in unusual locations and much lower down slope than we usually see. Even if you’re playing on low angle terrain, be aware of steep slopes above and adjacent to where you’re riding.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A moist unstable northwest flow this morning will bring a round of unsettled weather before a midday break in the action. Winds should decrease as well, turning southwesterly and blowing 10-20 mph with a few gusts in the 30’s. Highs today reach into the low 30’s at 8,000’ and mid 20’s at 10,000’. Overnight lows dip into the mid teens. Winds pickup again tonight and should gust in the 50’s as yet another storm system sets its sights for the region. This will be a fast mover and we can expect 4”-6” by about midday Saturday.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday April 3, 2010.

Sunday April 4th will be the last of our regularly scheduled Uinta advisories for the season.

If you’re getting out and about and trigger an avalanche or see anything interesting please drop us an email at craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170

Also, we've installed two beacon checkers exclusively for snowmobiler's- one at the Noblett's Trailhead, the other at the Bear River Trailhead. Thanks to Backcountry Access, the Bear River Lodge for donating one of the units and the great folks at the National Weather Service for their partnership, support and hard work making this project happen. Click here for a brief tutorial.


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.