Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Sunday - March 16, 2014 - 5:31am
bottom line

While not widespread and more accurately described as "pockety" a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on leeward slopes in the wind zone and human triggered avalanches are likely on all steep, wind drifted slopes. Once initiated, today's avalanches can break deep and wide, creating a very dangerous slide.

Mid elevation terrain offers a MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

The avalanche danger is generally LOW in mid and low elevation wind sheltered terrain.

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special announcement

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current conditions

Skies are clear this morning and temperatures in the mid teens. North and northeast winds are still humming along the high peaks with hourly averages in the 20's and gusts in the low 40's in the most wind exposed locations. Upper elevation terrain is a bit wind-jacked, but lose a bit of elevation and you'll find soft, settled powder on wind sheltered, shady slopes.

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

Click here for trip reports and avalanche observations.

recent activity

Dan Gardiner was riding near Trial Lake yesterday and remotely triggered this fresh wind slab from an adjacent slope around the corner. This a northeast facing slope at about 10,000' and a great example of how wind can channel through terrain features, rapidly loading leeward slopes.

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

There are plenty of slopes you can ride today and not have to worry about avalanches breaking to weak snow near the ground. However, if your travels take you to steep, rocky terrain, you're rolling the dice, especially if the slope you decide to ride hasn't avalanched yet this season. While chances of triggering a deep, scary slide are diminishing, the consequences remain equally as devastating. The only way to manage unmanageable avalanches that break to the ground is with your terrain choices. It's easy.... simply avoid being on or underneath steep wind drifted slopes.

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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

Yesterday's winds blew from an unusual northeasterly direction, forming slabs on slopes with a westerly component to their aspect. In addition, fresh drifts formed lower down-slope than you might expect as well as around terrain features like chutes and gullies. While mostly confined to upper elevation terrain facing the south and west quadrants of the compass, you'll want to avoid any fat looking, rounded piece of snow, especially if it sounds hollow like a drum. Once triggered, a fresh wind drift could get quickly out of hand if it breaks into weak, old snow buried deep in the snowpack.

weather

It'll be a beautiful day on the eastern front with sunny skies and temperatures climbing into the upper 30's. Northerly winds decrease throughout the day, but the southerlies ramp back up on Monday ahead of a strong cold front slated to move over the region late Monday. Just a few inches of snow are expected by Tuesday morning before a break in the action is slated for midweek. Another weak storm is on tap for Thursday.

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.

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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 Wedesday Mar. 19, 2014 or sooner if conditions warrant.