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

At upper elevations above treeline, the avalanche danger is HIGH. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep, wind drifted slopes, especially terrain with an easterly component to its aspect. Any slide triggered today has the potential to break deep and wide, resulting in a dangerous and possibly unsurvivable avalanche.

A CONSIDERABLE danger exists on recently wind loaded slopes at mid elevations and human triggered avalanches are probable.

Looking for LOW avalanche danger? Head to low elevation south facing slopes that have no preexisting weak snow issues or big open meadows with no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you're riding.
special announcement

Emerging from the UAC stokemobile.... Craig and Trent gear up for a little cold smoke, two stroke, pow stoke! Huge thanks to all of our great partners including Sam T Evans and Look Trailers for generously donating a loaner two place sled trailer for the 2014-15 season.... y'all rock!

We just released an exciting, new avy safety video designed specifically for snowmobilers - Knowledge is Powder. https://vimeo.com/113677686

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

Under clear skies, temperatures dipped into the mid teens overnight, and winds have shifted to the Northwest and are currently blowing 20-25 mph along the high peaks. The coverage has gone from zero to hero and excellent riding and turning conditions are found, especially on mid elevation, wind sheltered slopes.

The Uinta's got clobbered during the last storm. The range is white and it's dangerous.

Trent helped braved the brutally cold conditions with me yesterday, working with tiny screw drivers and little nuts and bolts to help get our Uinta weather station network up and running. A true asset to the Avalanche Center... this guy is amazing.

Click here for winds, temps, and snowfall.
recent activity

Two sled triggered slides near Tower Mountain yesterday occurring on heavily wind loaded east and northeast facing terrain. Fortunately, the debris fanned out and no one was caught, buried, or injured, but the writing is on the wall and avalanche conditions remain sketchy in the western Uinta's. Recent trip reports, backcountry observations, and avalanche observations are 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

This was a great storm for the eastern front, but we've gotta remember all the heavy snow, lots of water weight, and hurricane force winds all slammed down on a weak, sugary snowpack. We've got a deceptively dangerous setup because the snow will feel strong and bomber underneath our skis, board, or sled.

So here's the deal... we need to think not only about the snow we're riding in, but also the snow we're riding on and right now the weak pre-exisitng snow needs some time to adjust. It doesn't mean you can't ride.... it does mean you're gonna have to avoid being on or under steep, wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass. Any avalanche triggered today has the potential to break into weak layers near the ground, producing a large and dangerous slide. Add sunny skies to the mix and now we've got the perfect setup for a close call, or worse yet, avalanche accident.

Remember- whoomphing sounds or shooting cracks in front of your skis, board, or sled are huge clues to unstable snow. And don't forget the biggest clue... recent avalanches! Especially if they're occurring on the same kind of slope you wanna ride on.

Yet another slide triggered Tuesday. All the avalanches we've seen have broken to weak layers of snow near the ground, making them dangerous and unpredictable.
weather

A warm southwest flow increases today ahead of a pacific cold front. Clouds increase throughout the day, high temperatures reach into the low 30's, and southwest winds ramp up, gusting into the 50's by late tonight. The front crosses the area in the early morning hours Thursday with heavy snow. Snow continues through the day and overnight before tapering off Friday. A foot of snow is a good bet.
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 Thursday Dec. 25, 2014.