Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Today is the last of our regularly scheduled advisories for the season. Our season was extended through a generous donation by Backcountry.com to our partners the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. Thanks for all the great support!

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 a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger exists and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep wind drifted slopes. In addition, cornices are epically huge and undercut and may break back much further than you might expect. Be sure to steer clear of these huge overhanging boxcars.

While isolated and hard to trigger, a Level 2 (MODERATE) danger exists for human triggered avalanches breaking to the January raincrust. Upper elevation, steep, rocky terrain facing the north half of the compass, should still be considered suspect.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

A moist Pacific weather pattern has been the gift that keeps on giving. Yesterday’s system delivered yet another nice little shot of snow and it looks like the North Slope has been the beneficiary with 4” of new snow stacking up. Under mostly cloudy skies, temperatures are in the mid teens and low 20’s and winds are virtually non-existent, blowing less than 10 mph even along the high ridges. Lower elevation terrain is a bit crusty, but up high you’ll be treated to cold, settled powder riding.

RECENT ACTIVITY

Yesterday, sluffing within the new snow and shallow soft slabs were reported on steep, leeward terrain.

Thursday’s big winds and new snow resulted in several natural avalanches peeling off the hanging snow fields around Bald Mountain, stacking up impressive piles of debris.

Click here for recent observations from around the range.

THREAT #1
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

It’s been an active weather week on the eastern front and Thursday’s storm rolled into town with a vengeance. Southerly winds raged all day long and into the night, averaging 40 mph with gusts in the 70’s along the high ridges. The strong winds coupled with new snow created dense slabs that ran naturally during the storm and needed a little coaxing yesterday to get things rolling. While most of these have settled out, there may still be a rogue slab or two, especially along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges, which will still be sensitive to the weight of a rider. If you haven’t been out on the snow for awhile, tweak small test slopes like road cuts that have little consequence and see how they react before center-punching your favorite bowl or chute.

THREAT #2
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

I haven’t heard of any avalanches breaking deep into the January raincrust for several weeks now and I’d like to think we’ve finally turned a corner and can put this nemesis to bed. However, this is the time of year we start exploring, getting into steep, crazy terrain we only visit in the spring and my gut tells me steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass should still be considered suspect. While isolated, if you're getting into terrain that has these characteristics, carefully analyze the slope, your escape routes, and think of the consequences of triggering a deep, scary slide.

THREAT #3
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Cornices are ginormous and will break much further back than you'd expect. In addition, the sudden impact of a huge chunk of snow slamming down on the slope below may trigger a large slide that breaks deep and wide. Your best bet is to completely avoid traveling near these very unpredictable, overhanging pieces of snow.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Skies will remain partly to mostly cloudy throughout the day and then a weak weather disturbance crosses the area this afternoon through tonight bringing snow showers along with isolated thunderstorms. Southwesterly winds will blow 5-15 mph with a few gusts in the 20’s along the high ridges. Temperatures climb into the mid 30’s before diving into the low 20’s overnight. A stronger cold front will push through the area late Monday, with a moist and unstable northwest flow persisting into Tuesday, bringing the potential for heavy snow. Still looks like a foot or slightly better is a good bet.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated on Monday, Apr.25th, 2011 with some general avalanche awareness tips.

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

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.