Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Monday - December 29, 2014 - 6:11am
bottom line

At upper elevations at and above treeline, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. 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

Another nice shot of snow rolled into the region overnight, stacking up 6" of uber-light density snow across the range. Northwest winds increased throughout the day with hourly averages in the 20's and 30's and gusts in the mid 40's. Around 2:00 this morning, winds died down and currently they're light and variable even along the high peaks. Temperatures are near zero. The snow is light, it's deep, and you don't need to get on steep slopes in order to have an over-the-hood, out-of-body experience. Looking for Nirvana? Simply head to mid elevation, wind sheltered slopes.
recent activity

No recent avalanche activity to report in our hood
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

Recent wind drifted snow is gonna be the most obvious avalanche dragon out there this morning. Breaking at our below your skis, board, or machine, today's fresh drifts will be manageable in size and depth. Unfortunately it's not the light fluffy storm snow we're riding in that's the problem, it's the persistent slab we're riding on that's the problem. Persistent slabs are notoriously deceptive, hard to detect, and once triggered, break deeper and wider than you might suspect. 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

The storm starts to wind down as the flow turns easterly. Perhaps another couple inches are in the cards before it totally shuts down. Easterly winds increase tonight and blow in the 20's and 30's along the high ridges. Temperatures barely crack out of the single digits before tanking to -10 tonight. Cold and clear for Tuesday... we'll be lucky to get to zero degrees for a daytime high. Dry and slowly warming for the rest 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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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.