Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Saturday - February 8, 2014 - 5:07am
bottom line

This is the real deal. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist this weekend.

At mid and upper elevations, the avalanche danger is HIGH today. Both human triggered and natural avalanches are very likely on steep, wind drifted slopes. The danger is most pronounced on slopes facing the north half of the compass, particularly those with an easterly component to their aspect. Once triggered avalanches have the possibility to break deep and wide, creating a dangerous and possibly unsurvivable slide.

A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger is found on steep wind drifted slopes at low elevations and human triggered avalanches are likely.

South facing terrain is more predictable and offers MODERATE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are possible on any steep slope with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Looking for LOW avalanche danger? Head to wind sheltered low elevation south facing terrain with no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you're riding.




avalanche warning

THIS AVALANCHE WARNING IS FOR ALL THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL UTAH...SOUTHEAST IDAHO...THE WESTERN UINTAS...AND SOUTH TO THE MANTI-SKYLINE PLATEAU. HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS HAS LED TO A HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER, BORDERING ON EXTREME IN LOCALIZED AREAS. VERY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. LONGER RUNNING NATURAL AVALANCHES MAY BE EXPECTED OVER THE WEEKEND. LARGE AVALANCHES MAY BE TRIGGERED ON AND FROM WELL BELOW STEEP TERRAIN...BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

current conditions

In the past 24 hours a foot of snow has fallen throughout the range, with nearly two feet stacking up around the Mirror Lake corridor. West and southwest winds are cranking along the ridges, blowing 35-50 mph with gusts to 70 mph along the high peaks. Temperatures are in the mid 20's. Mid and upper elevation wind exposed terrain is jacked, but soft, creamy snow can be found in very wind sheltered, low elevation terrain.

Click here for current winds, temperatures, and snowfall throughout the range.

Click here for trip reports and avalanche observations.

recent activity

Very sensitive wind drifts on nearly all leeward slopes.

Recent avalanche activity is found here.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Avalanche conditions have changed dramatically in the past 24 hours. Strong winds with no shortage of fresh snow to blow around created drifts several feet deep and these will be sensitive to the weight of a rider today. Breaking deeper and wider than you might expect, today's avalanches will pack a punch and will easily ruin your day. Look for and avoid fat rounded pillows of snow on steep leeward slopes at all elevations. Cracking and collapsing along with recent avalanches on the same type of hills you wanna ride are huge clues to unstable snow.

.



Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Strong winds, lots of water weight, and rising temperatures will severely stress weak layers of snow near the ground, especially on slopes where the pack remains thin and fragile. Much of our terrain throughout the range is unusually shallow for this time of year and steep, rocky slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass need to be avoided. Deep, dangerous avalanches can be triggered from relatively flat terrain low on the slope. Today you'll need to avoid being on, below, or adjacent to steep, wind drifted terrain.

weather

A break in the action is on tap this morning, with another strong impulse slated for this afternoon and tonight. West and southwest winds blast along the ridges with averages in the 40's and 50's and gusts to 70 mph. Temperatures rise into the low 30's. A foot of new snow is a good bet by Sunday morning with additional snow expected throughout the day.

general announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions.   You can call me directly at 801-231-2170, email [email protected], or email by clicking HERE

This is a great time of year to schedule a free avalanche awareness presentation for your group or club. You can contact me at 801-231-2170 or email [email protected]

Donate to your favorite non-profit –The Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell.  You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.

The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

I will update this advisory by 7:00 AM on Sunday Feb. 9, 2014