SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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I'll be giving a free, snowmobile specific avalanche awareness presentation at Tri-City Performance in Springville today, Saturday Dec. 4th at 2:00. Hope to see y'all there! |
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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) and dangerous avalanche conditions still exist. While becoming more pockety, 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.
In low elevation terrain the avalanche danger is generally Level 1 (LOW). |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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A moist southwest flow keeps clouds and light snow over the region throughout the day. South and southwest winds are averaging 15 mph with gusts in the mid 20’s along the high ridges. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 20’s and 4” of dense, spongy snow fell in the past 48 hours. Riding and turning conditions remain quite good for early December and the heavy density snow makes for an excellent base. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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A few natural wind slabs have been spotted in Weber Canyon on upper elevation easterly facing slopes. The biggest slide occurred on a steep, east facing slope at 10,700’ in elevation. It was 2’ deep, 250’ wide, running 450’ vertical.
In addition to natural activity, one snowcat triggered slide was reported on a heavily wind loaded, upper elevation slope. This slide averaged 2’ deep, but broke to the ground in some places and was 100’ wide.
Click here for recent snowpack observations.
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 have been moving a lot of snow around the past few days and wind slabs remain today’s primary avalanche concern. Today’s slabs may seem stiff and stubborn, but they pack a punch once triggered and can easily take you for an unexpected body bruising ride. Today you’ll find wind drifts on the leeward side of mid and upper elevation ridgelines. Round, pillow like and chalky in appearance these are easy to detect and easy to avoid. Just steer 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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Yesterday, we worked on the Windy Peak weather station (click here for recent wind data) and were amazed by the amount of snow blowing around, rapidly loading upper elevation leeward slopes, forming a very dense slab. Of course this thick slab feels strong under our sled, skis or board. Problem is, it rests on several questionable weak layers of snow. It’s getting harder to trigger deep, dangerous avalanches and that’ll give us yet another false sense of security. Remember- all it takes is finding a weakness somewhere in a shallow portion of the snowpack, collapsing the pack, and we’re off to the races. Any steep, upper elevation, windloaded slope, facing the north half of the compass remains suspect and these aren’t the types of avalanche we outrun and shake off the snow once the dust settles. Avalanches triggered in upper elevation terrain still have the potential to break near the ground, creating a large and dangerous slide. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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A somewhat moist southwesterly flow prevails across the region today through Sunday. We can expect mostly cloudy skies, warm temperatures and gusty winds. West and southwest winds will increase this afternoon, gusting into the 40’s along the high ridges. Today’s temperatures climb into the mid 30’s at 8,000’ and near freezing at 10,000’. Overnight lows dip into the mid 20’s. About the same story for Sunday, then a pacific storm system crosses the region Monday and we’ll most likely see 2-5 inches of new snow with this system. |
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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 Sunday December 5th.
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. |
