Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Sunday April 11th will be the last of the regularly scheduled Uinta avalanche advisories.


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 MODERATE and human triggered avalanches are possible. In the wind zone above treeline pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger exist and human triggered slides are probable, especially in steep, rocky terrain. Avalanches triggered today on slopes with these characteristics will be large and dangerous.

The danger of wet avalanches is LOW this morning, but may rise to MODERATE on steep sunny slopes with daytime heating.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Cloudy skies developed overnight as a warm front lifts through the region. Currently, temperatures are in the low 20’s and winds are blowing out of the west and southwest at 15-25 mph along the high peaks. The big April storm has vastly improved the coverage across the range, but the strong springtime sun has baked almost all the snow except for high elevation northerly facing slopes.


RECENT ACTIVITY

The range came unglued earlier in the week and many big slides can be seen nearly everywhere you look in the high country. Click here for recent observations.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

This was a huge storm for us and quite a shock to our snowpack, adding over 55” of storm snow with nearly 3.5” of water weight, so it’s no surprise the range came unhinged. But spring is a healing time in the mountains and the combination of warm temperatures and blistering sunshine has helped weld the new snow in place. My brain tells me most slopes are good to go, but given the history of our snowpack and its weak, sugary, basal structure, my gut tells me to continue to play it safe and avoid steep slopes that didn’t avalanche during the big cycle. Because of our general lack of snow all winter, this is a much different season than other years and terrain that we usually head to in the spring because it’s deep and stable doesn’t necessarily apply this year. Take a look around today at all the carnage- the broken trees, the gullies filled up with 20’ feet of snow, slopes you didn’t think could avalanche, but broke to the ground- and you’ll quickly realize that if you screw up with your snowpack stability evaluation the consequences will be devastating. There are miles and miles of terrain to ride today and not even have to worry about avalanches. But if you want to get into steep, upper elevation terrain safely, don’t even think about pulling the dogs tail today. Instead, go for slopes that already slid big during the storm.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Cornices have grown HUGE and may break back further than you might expect. Give these unpredictable giants the respect they deserve and don’t even monkey around with them.


THREAT #3

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
No probability identified.
No size identified.
No trend identified.

Depending on cloud cover and temperatures, the danger of wet avalanches will increase as the day wares on. Today you’ll want to get off of and out from under steep, sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day, especially in lower elevation terrain .


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

We can expect mostly cloudy skies this morning with a slight chance of a flurry or two. Southwest winds will blow in the teens and upper 20’s along the ridges and high temperatures reach into the mid to upper 40’s. Skies clear out late this afternoon and overnight lows drop into the mid 20’s. Sunny skies and baking temperatures are on tap for Sunday with highs expected to soar into the upper 50’s. In addition, southwest winds become gusty as a storm slated for Monday approaches the region.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Sunday April 11, 2010.

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.