Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Today, Sunday April 3rd will be the last of our regularly scheduled advisories for the season. I will update this with some general information on Monday April 4th.

Thank you… thank you… thank you. Thanks to everyone who was involved with or helped support this program. Of course, huge thanks to the very talented Ted Scroggin from the Evanston Ranger District… you know he’s the man with the plan, out on the snow nearly everyday! Ted’s an amazing guy and his commitment to this program and to his community is tireless. In addition, Ted is saving lives, helping to educate countless riders and skiers alike. Ted is an enormous asset to the community and I couldn’t pull this off without his help. Also, the Utah Avalanche Center wants to recognize the incredible support from both the Evanston and Heber/Kamas Ranger Districts. We appreciate all Rick Schuler and Jeff Schramm do for us and look forward to next season as we continue strengthening our partnership. Furthermore, thanks to my good colleagues at the Avalanche Center. In particular, big thanks to my partner in crime, Grant Helgeson. Grant is crucial to this program and his positive energy and amazing work ethic keeps me energized and smiling and powers us all through a grueling winter schedule…. thanks man!

In addition, big thanks to Fred Hayes and all the staff at Utah State Parks for being such awesome partners, helping to fund this and other snowmobile specific avalanche advisory programs, ultimately saving many lives. The support from our good friends at Tri-City Performance in partnership with Polaris and Weller’s Recreation in partnership with Ski-Doo is simply amazing. Their sleds enable us to get into more terrain, see more snow and ultimately issue more precise forecasts along with providing critical outreach. Also, thanks to everyone from the Park City Powder Cats. The strong working partnership and information sharing conduit forged the past few years should be a model for all organizations in this business… thanks guys and gals!

Finally, thanks to all of you who consistently help this program. In particular I want to thank the Utah Snowmobile Association, Dan Gardiner, Phatty and the Boondockers crew, along with the Thunderstruck posse. Whether attending or organizing fundraisers, lending a hand installing beacon training sites or sharing your avalanche insights and experience, I’m grateful for all the support… y’all rock!

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BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

Along the high ridges in the wind zone pockets of Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE ) danger exist and human triggered avalanches are probable on steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. In steep, wind drifted mid elevation terrain, a Level 2 (MODERATE) danger will be found and human triggered avalanches are possible. Cornices are huge and unpredictable, so be sure to steer clear of these huge overhanging boxcars.

The danger for wet avalanches on steep, mid and low elevation, sun-exposed slopes is at Level 2 (MODERATE) and human triggered avalanches will be possible, especially during the heat of the day. If the sun comes out for any period of time the danger will rapidly rise to Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) and natural avalanches will get into the mix.

Our deep slab issue hasn't gone away and in general a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger associated with this persistent problem child exists. While not widespread, the danger is most pronounced on steep, rocky, mid and upper elevation, north facing slopes where you can still trigger an avalanche that breaks to the January raincrust. While the chances of triggering a deep slab avalanche are isolated, the consequences are very severe.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

A cold Pacific storm continues to slide through the region, delivering a foot of snow on The North Slope and about 6” on the southern half of the range. The front crossed the region around midnight, winds switched to the west and temperatures crashed into the mid teens and low 20’s. Currently winds remain westerly and in the 15-25 mph range along the high ridges. Riding and turning conditions will have vastly improved since yesterday, especially on mid and upper elevation northerly facing slopes.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No new avalanche activity reported from Saturday, but Ted got out for a quick spin around Gold Hill. Click here for his obs.

Like clockwork, as the day heated up Friday we got to watch loose, sun induced sluffs cascade off the hanging snowfields of Reid’s Peak and Bald Mountain. Getting clobbered by one of these would definitely ruin your day.

Click here for recent observations from around the range.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

While winds raged prior to the front, they became better behaved once it started snowing, mellowing out in the 20 mph range. However, as you well know the Uinta’s are a windy place no matter what and gusts can channel through terrain features, loading slopes in unusual locations. Today you’ll want to be on your toes and avoid any steep, wind loaded terrain, especially slopes that face the north half of the compass. In addition, yesterday’s winds coupled with a foot of new storm snow continued to enhance the size of the already huge cornices. Man, these things are growing to near battleship-sized proportions! You definitely don’t want to get on the wrong side of one of these monsters and have it break behind you. The results would be body crushing and there’s a possibility a huge trigger like a cornice crashing down on the slope below can initiate a large slide that breaks into weak snow, turning something manageable into a completely different outcome.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The snowpack is amazingly deep and the Uinta’s are about as white and fat as it gets. While our deeper instability issues seem to have quieted down a bit, they often become cranky and reactive with additional new storm snow much like we had overnight. Deep slabs are an elusive avalanche dragon because the snow feels so strong underneath us. While difficult to trigger and harder yet to predict, I’d still be suspicious of steep, rocky, north facing terrain at mid and upper elevations.


THREAT #3

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Like a warm blanket, last night’s storm helped insulate the snowpack, especially at mid and lower elevations. Today’s damp snow will be easy to push around, entraining all the new storm snow, fanning out into a large manky avalanche once it gets rolling. You’ll defiantly want to avoid terrain traps like creek bottoms, gullies, and road cuts where tremendous amounts of cement-like avalanche debris can pile up deeply.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Today we can expect periods of light snow with a couple more inches stacking up. High temperatures reach into the mid 20’s before dipping into the teens overnight. Northwest winds will increase throughout the day, gusting into the 40’s and 50’s along the high ridges. High pressure builds for the beginning of the week with several more storms slated to impact the region towards the end of the work week.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated with a year end statement on Monday, Apr.4th, 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.