Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We want to give you the best service possible and appreciate all your support and feedback. Please take a minute or two and click on our quick survey to help us out.


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

At and above treeline fresh wind drifts will be sensitive to the weight of a rider. You’ll find a Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger on steep wind drifted slopes, especially along the high ridges and human triggered avalanches are probable in terrain facing the north half of the compass. Also, be sure to give the monster cornices a wide berth.

Our deep slab issue hasn't gone away. There is a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger associated with this persistent problem child. While the chances of triggering a deep slab avalanche are isolated, the consequences are very severe.

A Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger exists out of the wind, on low elevation, low angle slopes.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

A cold front and quick hitting shot of moisture is still headed our way this morning… it got hung up in the Salt Lake area mountains and it’s late to arrive. But hey, at least it’s still windy. East and southeast winds blew all day yesterday and into the evening, averaging 25 mph with gusts in the 40’s. They just switched to the west and that should help to usher the front through. We’ve picked up 2”-3” of snow and temperatures are in the mid to upper 20’s. Riding and turning conditions are quite good, especially in wind sheltered, Northerly facing terrain.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No new avalanche activity to report from yesterday, but Monday's wind and snow produced several avalanches around the big peaks near Bald Mountain. Our old nemesis, the weak snow underneath the January rain crust was reactivated, resulting in an especially deep slide peeling off of a steep, rocky, unsupported slope just below Haystack Peak. Click here for more details.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Yesterday's east and southeast winds formed dense hard slabs on slopes with a westerly component to their aspect, which is unusual for us. With more new snow expected in the next couple hours, this morning you’ll find a whole new batch of fresh wind drifts along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges and around terrain features like chutes and gullies. The fresh drifts will predictably break at or below our sled, skis, or board, but with more snow and wind on tap, I expect the drifts to become more widespread and more reactive to the weight of a rider as the day wares on. There’s plenty of new snow for the wind to whip into sensitive slabs, so be sure to re-evaluate your terrain choices, particularly during periods of heavy snowfall.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Each time the wind blows or we receive a substantial amount of snow or water, the range experiences at least one large natural slide that breaks below the January rain crust. Well, the Uinta’s never seem to disappoint and this week was no different. After last week’s raging winds a huge avalanche on the hanging snowfield just below Haystack Peak broke very deeply, creating a large and destructive slide. Of course no one would be riding in this type of terrain, but with the solid, “go anywhere” snowpack we have right now, we can get into steep, rocky terrain that has similar snowpack characteristics. While the chances of triggering an avalanche that breaks deep and wide are isolated, the consequences will be devastating and quite possibly unsurvivable. Remember- when in doubt of the snowpack tone your slope angles down and match the terrain with the consequences of triggering a slide.


THREAT #3

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 12 hours.

Cornices are huge, undercut, and unpredictably breaking much further back than you might expect. In addition, you can trigger a deep, dangerous slide as the added weight of a huge block of snow trundles down the slope. You’ll definitely want to give these monsters the respect they deserve and avoid messing around or near them.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

After a decent burst of early morning snow, intensities decrease by about mid morning before becoming steadier and heavier overnight as the next storm system moves in. Today’s high temperatures reach into the mid 20’s and low 30’s with overnight lows dipping into the low teens. Winds remain westerly, in the 15-30 mph range. Tonight’s system will bring a cold, moist, west to northwest flow into the region with snow continuing most of Monday. A foot of snow seems to be a good bet. Snow ends Monday evening with a break on Tuesday. A weaker system crosses the area Tuesday night through Wednesday with warm high pressure returning for the second half of the workweek.


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, Mar. 30th, 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.