Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Sunday - December 28, 2014 - 5:53am
bottom line

At upper elevations at and above treeline, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. While not widespread and pockety in nature, human triggered avalanches are probable on steep, wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass, especially on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. Any slide triggered today has the potential to break to the ground, resulting in a dangerous avalanche.

A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on recently wind loaded slopes at mid elevations and human triggered avalanches are possible

A LOW avalanche danger exists on low and mid elevation slopes facing the south half of the compass and terrain that had no pre-existing snow prior to last weeks big storm.
special announcement

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

Clouds rolled into the region late yesterday and westerly winds increased around dinner time. They've been blowing steadily through the night in the 30's and 40's along the high ridges. Temperatures are in the single digits and low teens. The riding and turning conditions are amazing, especially on mid elevation, wind sheltered slopes.
recent activity

No recent avalanche activity in our hood, but similar snowpack structure in the backcountry along the Park City ridgeline, led to a very close call Friday. Click here for more details.
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

Lots of steep terrain throughout the range saw tracks yesterday and in general the snowpack appears pretty well behaved. The good news is... no avalanches on steep slopes. The bad news... the snowpack structure suggests we're not quite at green light conditions just yet and that's exactly the problem when we're dealing with persistent slabs. They're deceptive, not so easy to detect, and even less manageable. Here's a great video illustrating why they're so dangerous. Winds picked up overnight, there's plenty of light density snow to blow around, and today, many slopes are fat and loaded. Any avalanche triggered today, still has the potential to break deep and wide, producing a large and dangerous slide. Avoid steep wind drifted terrain and you avoid the problem
weather

A good shot of snow develops around mid day, along with westerly winds blowing in the 40's and 50's along the high ridges. Temperatures barely climb into the low teens and dip into the single digits overnight. Winds decrease overnight, the storm starts to wind down, and storm totals look to be in the 12" range by Monday morning. Snow showers linger Monday and then the region dries out and cold air filters into the area with highs barely breaking out of the single digits. Computer models suggest stormy weather for the end of 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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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 Wednesday Dec. 31, 2014.