SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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It is with great sadness that I have to report an avalanche fatality in the western Uinta’s from Friday afternoon. The avalanche occurred in the bowl north of Superbowl on a slope locals call Cherry Hill. The slide was 3’-5’ deep and approx. 600’wide. Triggered mid slope, this large slide broke well above the rider, propagating up to the ridge. Unfortunately, the riders left their rescue gear in the rig because they had no intention of getting onto steep slopes. Our prayers and condolences go out to the friends and family of 54-year-old Dennis K. Barnes of Evanston, Wyoming. |
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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 steep, upper elevation terrain at and above treeline the avalanche danger is at Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) meaning dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Human triggered avalanches are likely on wind drifted slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, especially those facing the north half of the compass. Avalanches triggered today have the potential to be deep and dangerous.
A Level 2 (MODERATE) danger exists on all steep mid elevation, wind drifted slopes and human triggered avalanches are possible. Today's fresh wind slabs will be sensitive to the weight of a rider.
In low elevation terrain that had no snow prior to the big storm cycle, the avalanche danger is generally Level 1 (LOW). |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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A cold front moving through the region will bring a good shot of snow in the next few hours. Southerly winds blew all day yesterday and increased overnight, into the 30’s and 40’s with a few gusts near 70 mph along the highest ridges. Temperatures are in the mid teens at 10,000’ and low 20’s at the trailheads. Riding and turning conditions remain quite good, especially on low angle wind sheltered slopes. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Click here for the Cherry Hill accident summary. Several large, natural avalanches in the same region were spotted yesterday. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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Winds continue to be an issue, creating stiff slabs along the leeward side of upper elevation terrain. These stubborn slabs are difficult to trigger, but they pack a punch and may break wider and deeper then you might expect. These hollow sounding slabs are easy to detect by their rounded, chalky, pillow like appearance. In addition, they’re easy to avoid by steering clear of any steep slope with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. |
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THREAT #2 |
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PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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While the snowpack gains strength and adjusts to last week’s big storm, it may be getting harder to trigger deep slides that break into weak snow near the ground, but the results will be every bit as devastating. A very strong, cohesive slab rests on top of several weakening layers of snow near the ground. Sustained winds during the big storm deposited snow uniformly near and just below the ridges and the slab is connected across the slope. Because of this, normal terrain boundaries like trees and sub-ridges do little to protect us and once triggered avalanches will break wide and deep and may fracture well above you. These aren’t the types of avalanches we outrun. These are tree snapping, bone breaking, and sled crushing slides. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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A Pacific storm rolls into the region today and snow should begin in the morning hours. A foot of snow by Monday morning looks like a good bet. West and southwest winds average 15-30 mph with a few gusts in the 50’s along the high ridges, before switching to the northwest this afternoon. High temperatures don’t vary much from where we’re at this morning and overnight lows dip into the single digits. Weakening systems affect the region throughout the upcoming week. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Wednesday December 1st.
If you’re getting out and about and trigger an avalanche or see anything interesting please drop me an email at craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170
Also, now is a great time to schedule one of our free avalanche awareness presentations for your group or club. Email or call me and we’ll get you booked before things get too crazy.
Many thanks to all the great folks at Tri-City Performance and Polaris for their extremely generous donation to the Utah Avalanche Center. You guys… and gals rock! Click here to see Craig’s new ride.
The western Uinta advisory program is going full tilt and forecasts will be issued by 7:00 AM on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and all holidays. |
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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. |
