SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
|
|
|
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 pockets of Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger exist for deep slides that break to the ground. Human triggered avalanches are likely, especially on steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass.
At mid elevations a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger will be found and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep, northerly facing, wind drifted slopes.
Slopes facing the south half of the compass at mid and low elevations and terrain that had no snow prior to the big storm a few weeks ago offer Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger. |
|
|
CURRENT CONDITIONS |
|
It’s a mild morning under clear skies with temperatures in the low to mid 20’s. Southwesterly winds are blowing 15-20 mph along the high ridges. Two inches of dense snow fell Thursday night providing a thin coat of white paint to the region. |
|
|
RECENT ACTIVITY |
|
No new avalanche activity to speak of, but isolated collapsing of the snowpack is still being reported.
Click here for recent observations. |
|
|
THREAT #1 |
|
| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Over the next
24 hours.
|
|
|
The snowpack is slowly adjusting to the big storm a few weeks ago and it’s been a week since we’ve heard about or seen any avalanche activity. That’s certainly a step in the right direction, but quite frankly I wouldn’t trust it with my life. Sure people are getting into steep terrain without incident, but the overall snowpack structure is shaky at best. Just like a plane falling out of the sky, low probability/high consequence events have devastating outcomes. Since we can’t see into the snowpack to view where the weaknesses are the best way to avoid triggering a deep dangerous slide today is to avoid steep, rocky, upper elevation north facing terrain, especially where a strong slab overlies weak sugary snow near the ground.
Carefully study the terrain you’re riding today. If it’s upper elevation wind drifted terrain, steeper than 35 degrees, facing the north half of the compass, and didn’t avalanche during the big storm it’s no-go terrain.
The avalanche danger is less pronounced on south facing slopes, low angle meadows and terrain that didn’t have snow prior to the big storm. |
|
|
MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
|
High pressure is short-lived over the region this morning as a weak storm ushers in clouds and light snow showers late this afternoon. Highs reach into the upper 30’s today before diving into the mid 20’s overnight. Winds remain light and southerly. Snow gradually fills in overnight, becoming heavier during the day tomorrow before tapering off Monday morning. Don’t get too excited about the storm, just 2”-4” is expected. Another weak system slides by the region late Monday through Wednesday. |
|
|
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Sunday, February 12th.
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 |
|
|
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. |
