Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Monday - November 24, 2014 - 4:57am
bottom line

In the wind zone the avalanche danger is HIGH. Human triggered avalanches are likely especially on upper elevation, leeward slopes, facing the north half of the compass.

At mid elevations the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on steep wind drifted slopes and human triggered avalanche are probable.

In either case, triggering even a small slide will expose a myriad of hidden obstacles, instantly ruing your day and quite possibly your season.

Looking for LOW avalanche danger? Head to slopes that had no pre-existing snow prior to the big weekend storm.




avalanche warning

AN AVALANCHE WARNING CONTINUES FOR ALL THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN UTAH. DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST AT THE MID AND UPPER ELEVATIONS... HUMAN TRIGGERED SLIDES ARE LIKELY.

current conditions

An additional 2" of snow fell in the past 24 hours, bringing snow totals close to 2' since the storm got going Saturday. West and northwest winds were busy busy at work all day Sunday and continue to blow 30-45 mph along the high ridges. Travel have vastly improved with the big storm, though the range is still pretty thin, and riding and turning options remain limited.

recent activity

Visibility was limited yesterday, but lots of collapses and booming whoomphing sounds were reported from across the range.

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

Here's the deal- your choices for riding or turning are limited to mid and high elevation snow facing the north half of the compass and that's exactly the type of terrain where you could trigger an avalanche today. Underneath the big weekend storm is early season snow that grew weak and sugary and recent winds drifted snow everywhere. Complicating matters... the snow will feel strong and supportable. So we've gotta think not only about the snow we're riding in, but also the snow we're riding on.

Unfortunately, a lot of avalanche accidents and close calls occur early in the season when we don't think there's enough snow to slide. Right now we've got a dangerous early season setup- strong snow on weak snow. Today, you'll want to look for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow, especially if it sounds hollow like a drum. Remember- clues like shooting cracks and booming collapses or whoomphing sounds are huge clues to unstable snow.

There's not much snow and triggering a slide will immediately ruin your day, taking you for a nasty ride through rocks and stumps barely hidden underneath the shallow snowpack, at the very least, resulting in a season ending injury.

weather

Scattered snow showers and mostly cloudy skies are on tap. West and northwest winds will be an issue both today and tonight as they continue to blow in the 40's and 50's along the high ridges. Temperatures climb into the low 20's before diving into the single digits overnight. One last gasp of snow slides through the region Tuesday along with rising temperatures. High pressure builds for midweek with the possibility of an active pattern returning for late in the week.

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 Tuesday Nov. 25, 2014.