Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

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, a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger exists and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep leeward slopes. If you’re traveling along the high ridges in the wind zone above treeline, pockets of Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) danger exist particularly on steep wind drifted slopes in terrain facing the north half of the compass

In addition, a widespread and persistent layer of surface hoar exists throughout the range and human triggered avalanches can break into this deeply buried weak layer, creating a large and dangerous avalanche. Those without expert snow assessment skills should avoid upper elevation slopes facing Northwest, North, Northeast, and East where a Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger exists.

Out of the wind on low angle, mid and low elevation terrain, especially those with no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you’re riding, a Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger exists


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Scattered clouds are entering the region as the leading edge of a fast moving storm slides into the northern half of the state. Southerly winds began increasing late last night, averaging 25 mph with gusts in the 40’s and 50’s along the high ridges. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 20’s. Riding and turning conditions are a mixed bag, though you’ll be able to find soft settled powder on wind sheltered, mid elevation, northerly facing slopes.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Strong winds Monday and a cornice release produced a large natural in upper Mill A Basin near Chalk Creek. From a distance the avalanche appeared to be 3’-4’ deep and about 150’ wide. In addition, check out these great pics Ted Scroggin snapped from Reid’s Peak of a large natural pocket that broke into the surface hoar layer during last week’s storm cycle. As always.... great work Ted!

Big thanks to all those who continue to submit all the very informative observations. The information is GREATLY appreciated!


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Wind slabs along the high ridges are stiff and stubborn but can still be triggered with the additional weight of a rider. Easy to detect by their fat, rounded appearance, you’ll find slabs in upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass. While generally manageable in size, there’s an outside possibility that once initiated a slab could break into weaker snow, creating a large and unmanageable avalanche. Before going after the big terrain, play a round of mini golf. Tweak small test slopes with little consequence and see how their reacting and what kind of avalanche dragon you’re dealing with.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Our unmanageable avalanche dragon, the layer of surface hoar now buried about four feet below the snow surface, remains alive and reactive in all our snowpit tests. As last weeks new storm snow settles and gains strength, avalanches become more difficult trigger, but once we do get things rolling, the slides become catastrophically large and dangerous… low probability…. high consequences. In these type of avalanche conditions your best offense is a good defense. Ride defensively today by only putting one person on the slope at a time. Watch your partner from a safe distance in a safe location. Above all, think about the consequences of triggering an avalanche.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Two storms are poised to impact the region in the next couple of days. The first slides through late this afternoon or early evening. Snow totals look light, perhaps 2”-4” if we’re lucky. Southwest winds increase throughout the day and should be gusting into the mid 50’s along the high ridges by day’s end. Temperatures remain mild with highs reaching into the low to mid 30’s. Winds switch to the west tonight ushering in cooler air and lows dip into the mid teens. A colder storm with a better shot of snow moves into the region late Thursday into Friday morning and we should be able to squeeze 6”-10” of snow out of this system. Unsettled weather is expected for Friday with a clearing trend for early in the weekend.


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, Mar. 5th, 2011.

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

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.