Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Wednesday - February 19, 2014 - 5:43am
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At upper elevations, the avalanche danger is HIGH today. Human triggered avalanches are very likely and natural avalanches are possible on all 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.

Upper elevation south facing terrain offers a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are probable on steep, wind drifted slopes.

A LOW avalanche danger is found on gentle slopes with no steep terrain above or adjacent to where you're riding.

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avalanche warning

AN AVALANCHE WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS WHERE THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND RECENT SNOWFALL HAVE OVERLOADED A WEAK, FRAGILE SNOWPACK,  A HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER EXISTS. DANGEROUSLY LARGE, HUMAN TRIGGERED AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY ON STEEP WIND DRIFTED SLOPES. BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELERS SHOULD AVOID SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES AND AVALANCHE RUNNOUT AREAS. THIS WARNING DOES NOT INCLUDE SKI AREAS OR HIGHWAYS WHERE AVALANCHE CONTROL IS NORMALLY DONE.

 

 
current conditions

Clouds are streaming into the area ahead of a fast moving cold front slated to impact the region midday. West and southwest winds blew 25-35 mph all Tuesday, but increased at 4:00 this morning, ramping up into the mid 30's and 40's along the high peaks. Temperatures are in the low to mid 20's. Wind exposed slopes are jacked and bare in some places, but lose a little elevation and you'll find soft, creamy snow in wind sheltered low and mid elevation terrain.

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

Click here for trip reports and avalanche observations.
recent activity

We found this rather large avalanche yesterday in upper Weber Canyon. Breaking 10'-15' deep, 700' wide, and running close to 1500' vertically, this may have been the largest slide we've seen in this truly epic avalanche cycle

Strong westerly winds Monday tipped the balance, allowing a minivan sized piece of cornice to break off, slam onto the slope below, which in turn triggered this massive slide.

Walking in the land of giants.... Shaun Raskin looking mighty small next to this enormous crown.

More 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

It's been a truly remarkable avalanche cycle and the madness continues. Avalanches are breaking deep and wide, failing on weak snow near the ground. It's an unmanageable avalanche problem with devastating consequences if we do trigger a slide. Problem is.... you can ride plenty of slopes and not trigger a deep, dangerous slide, but all you need to do is find a weakness in the pack, usually around a rock or bush hidden under the snow, collapse the slope, and then all bets are off. Best way to manage the unmanageable is with terrain choices. Simply avoid being on or under steep wind drifted terrain.

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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

Yes, wind was invented in the western Uinta's and today the range will capitalize on its share of the market. The past few days, west and southwest winds have been ruthless at mid and upper elevations. Today we expect winds to increase and they'll continue forming fresh slabs on the leeward side of ridges and around terrain features like chutes, gullies, and sub-ridges. Once triggered, today's fresh slabs have the possibility to break into weak layers of snow buried deeper in the snowpack, creating a slide that gets quickly out of hand. As always, look for and avoid any fresh rounded drift, especially if it feels hollow or sounds like a drum.
Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Cornices have grown ridiculously large and will break back further than you might expect. You'll definitely want to give these boxcar sized monsters the respect they deserve.
weather

A fast moving cold front slides through the area around lunchtime, but this short-lived system only delivers 4"-8" of snow before quickly exiting the region late tonight. West and southwest winds rage in the 50's and 60's with gusts to 80 mph along the high peaks, before switching to the northwest once the storm arrives. Unfortunately, winds remain in the 40-60 mph range through the night. Temperatures dive throughout the day with overnight lows near zero. A break in the action Thursday with another quick hitting storm slated for Friday, lingering into Saturday morning..

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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]

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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 Thursday Feb. 20, 2014