Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We've installed state of the art Backcountry Access Beacon Checkers designed specifically for snowmobilers at both the Noblets & Soapstone trailheads. Check 'em out.


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

In the wind zone above treeline a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger exists, especially in steep, rocky terrain, facing the north half of the compass. While pockety and hard to trigger, large and dangerous human triggered avalanches are still possible in isolated areas.

In all other upper and mid elevation terrain, the avalanche danger is Level 2 (MODERATE) and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep, wind drifted slopes.

At lower elevations and in non wind affected terrain the avalanche danger is Level 1 (LOW).


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Clouds are starting to push into the far northwest corner of the state ahead of a disorganized cold front slated to affect the area late this afternoon. West and northwesterly are blowing 15-20 mph along the high ridges. Temperatures are in the mid 20’s and riding turning conditions remain quite good in sheltered, shady terrain.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Ted found a nice slide in Cataract Canyon on the east side of the range where the snowpack is a bit weaker. The avalanche was just over 2'-3' deep, 250’ wide, running 650’ vertically. Click here for more details. Many thanks to Ted Scroggin for all his hard work helping to save lives and making this program such a success... you rock, man!

Click here for recent snowpack and avalanche observations.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

It’ll be a relatively quiet and predictable day with a few lingering wind slabs along the leeward side of the high ridges. These may still be reactive to the weight of a rider, so you’ll want to continue avoiding any fat looking pillow of snow. With a storm on the way we need to also start focusing on what the new snow is falling on. We’ve got a variety of weak surface snow, from trophy sized surface hoar to near surface facets that developed the past few days as a result of the clear weather. Without much prefrontal winds to destroy these weaknesses, once buried and preserved, they could come back and haunt us later in the week with a more active storm track on tap.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Right now our problem child, a deep dangerous avalanche that breaks to the ground, has been pretty well behaved. However, if you’re getting into steep, radical or technical terrain today, there’s still an isolated possibility of triggering a slide that breaks to the ground, especially on slopes facing the north half of the compass that are thin and rocky... slopes like this.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A cold front swings through northern Utah tonight and we will see periods of snow developing after midnight. Accumulations should be in the 3”-6” range with snow showers lingering into Sunday afternoon. Northwest winds may increase slightly along the highest ridges, gusting into the low 40’s. High temperatures reach into the upper 20’s before crashing into the teens and single digits tonight. Cold temperatures and mostly clear skies for early in the week, and then a mild west-northwest flow develops for midweek bringing in a series of disturbances.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM on Sunday Jan. 9th.

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

We are teaching a Snowmobile Avalanche Awareness Course the week of January 5th. Click here for details.

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.


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.