Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Plowing on the Mirror Lake Highway is done for the season, maintenance on Wolf Creek Pass continues. In either case, be aware the Uinta snowpack is much weaker than you might find in neighboring mountains to the east.


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 at and above treeline, pockets of Level 2 (Moderate) avalanche danger exist in steep, leeward, upper elevation terrain. Human triggered avalanches are possible, especially on slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Out of the wind and at lower elevations the avalanche danger is generally a Level 1 (Low) danger.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Skies remained clear overnight and morning temperatures are a balmy 25 degrees at 10,000’. Southwest winds bumped up into the 20’s and low 30’s early this morning, but those gusts are isolated to the highest ridges. Riding and turning conditions are grim. It’s thin and rocky out there and with no big storms on the horizon, riding options are becoming more limited.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Ted took a look at an avalanche triggered by a group of sledders in the Millcreek area on Dec. 8th. Unfortunately this slide was just recently reported to us. While it’s kind of old news, it is a sign of bigger things to come once winter kicks in. Click here to view Ted’s report.

Click here for recent observations from around the range.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

This morning’s spike in winds along the high ridges created shallow wind drifts that are sensitive to the weight of a rider today. The good news is… you really have to go out of your way to trigger one of these, but none-the-less, continue to look for and avoid any fat, rounded pillow of wind drifted snow. The bad news… triggering even a small slide will result in a body bruising ride through rocks, stumps, and downed timber barely hidden under our thin snowpack.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Another beautiful day is on tap in the mountains. High temperatures climb into the low to mid 40’s with overnight lows dipping into the 20’s. Southwesterly winds remain in the 10-20 mph range with a few higher gusts along the peaks, before switching more northerly and increasing somewhat after midnight. A weak system diving south will usher in colder air, but there’s little hope for accumulating snow. High pressure rebounds midweek. There may be a glimmer of hope for snow late Wednesday or Thursday.


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, December 21st.

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

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.


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.