Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Utah Avalanche Center is auctioning off a BCA Float 18 Airbag Pack as a fundraiser. Go to ebay for more details [link to

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BCA-Float-18-Avalanche-Rescue-Airbag-Pack-benefit-Utah-Avalanche-Center-/320846247129?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab3ed34d9#ht_500wt_1361

]


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

A weak storm system sliding through Nevada will bring light snow and cool temperatures to the region today. Currently, southerly winds are blowing 10-20 mph and temperatures are in the mid teens. Sunday’s storm was good to the eastern front where 10”-14” of snow fell across the high terrain. Riding and turning conditions have vastly improved.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Manageable avalanches breaking in the new storm snow were reported in steep, northerly facing terrain.

Click here for recent observations.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Sunday’s storm snow may still be a little reactive to the weight of a rider, particularly if you’re getting onto upper elevation, steep slopes facing the north half of the compass. Breaking at or below our skis, board, or sled, the storm snow issues will be predictable and mostly manageable in size. However, don’t get lulled into a false sense of security thinking this is the main avalanche dragon to focus on. The deeper more dangerous issue is the unmanageable avalanches breaking into old, rotten December snow closer to the ground. While it’s been 11 days since our last deep avalanche was reported, the basic structure of our snowpack is sketchy and leads me to believe there are areas, especially where the snowpack remains thin and rocky, where you could still trigger a deep, scary slide. So it’s kinda like an Elvis sighting… we all know it exists, we just haven’t seen it for awhile.

Continue carefully studying the slopes you’re riding today. If it’s steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain, facing the north half of the compass, that didn’t avalanche during the big January 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

Scattered snow showers continue throughout the day, with accumulations in the 2”-4” range by this afternoon. Winds remain light and variable, in the 10-20 mph range along the ridges. Temperatures climb into the low to mid 20’s before diving into the single digits under clear skies overnight. High pressure builds for the remainder of the week giving us mostly sunny skies and warming temperatures. The future looks more promising with a cold front dropping into the region late Saturday. We’ll have a better handle on this storm for the weekend update.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday, February 18th.

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.