Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Thursday - November 27, 2014 - 6:04am
bottom line

A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in wind drifted terrain at upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible on steep, leeward slopes, especially those with an easterly component to there aspect.

Remember- triggering even a small slide will expose stumps and rocks, 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.
special announcement

NEW THIS YEAR: You can now receive advisories by email for each region in the state. Go here for details.

Huge thanks to Tyler St. Jeor for all his help yesterday getting our Uinta weather station network up and running. Current winds, snowfall, and temperatures can be found here.
current conditions

Skies are clear, west and southwest winds are blowing 15-30 mph along the high ridges, and it's a tropical feeling 30 degrees. With only two feet of total snow on the ground it's still pretty thin out there and you gotta think light if you're getting off an established trail or road.

You know its blowing when you run into a posse of kite boarders in the mountains. West northwest winds were smokin' yesterday, but fortunately have calmed down overnight.
recent activity

We noticed one pocket that released off Currant Creek Peak naturally during the storm. Also noted was some minor collapsing and subtle whoomphing sounds where strong, wind drifted snow overlays weak, early season snow.
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

Warmth and sun.... it's does a body good and it does a snowpack good! I was psyched to stomp around yesterday and find our snowpack to be generally well behaved. While we experienced a few collapses, the slab seems to have lost quite a bit of energy from just a few days ago and nothing feels super connected. Am I gonna hang it out and test my theories on a big open slope with bad consequences? I don't think so, there's still too many variables within the snowpack and triggering even a small slide could instantly ruin your day. When it comes to snow, the best way to manage the unknown is with your terrain choices. Remember- underneath the storm snow is early November snow that grew weak and sugary, especially on upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass and that's exactly the type of terrain where you could still trigger a slide today. Wanna avoid avalanches altogether? Simply ride on slopes that had no snow prior to last weekends storm or test your carving skills in low angle meadows.

Recent winds scoured many upper elevation windward slopes down to the rocks and sage, depositing that snow to the leeward side of the ridge. These fat looking leeward slopes are exactly the kind of place you could still trigger an avalanche today.
weather

Warm, dry, high pressure prevails over the region for the next couple of days. Temperatures climb into the upper 30's and low 40's with overnight lows near freezing. West and southwest winds blow 20-30 mph along the high ridges with a few gusts in the 40's near the highest peaks. Perhaps a few clouds and a passing snow shower or two for Sunday. Lots of computer model disagreement on a possible storm for next week... will keep you posted.
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 Saturday Nov. 29, 2014.