Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Saturday - January 24, 2015 - 5:11am
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In general most terrain offers a LOW avalanche danger.

However, at upper elevations in the wind zone pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger exist and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. While not widespread and making up a small portion of the terrain available to ride in, once triggered, avalanches still have potential to break to weak layers near the ground, especially on slopes facing North, Northeast, and East.




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

An inch or two of snow fell yesterday and skies cleared out right around dinner time as high pressure builds across the region. Northeast winds started dying down around 1:00 this morning, currently blowing 15-25 mph along the high ridges. Temperatures are in the low to mid 20's. Riding and turning conditions are hit or miss, but shady, wind sheltered slopes still offer soft, settled snow.

Ted was in Millcreek yesterday where the gray bird was singing. More on his travels here.

Click here for real-time temperatures, snowfall, and winds.

recent activity

No recent avalanche activity to report.

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

North and northeast winds have been blowing in the 30's and 40's along the highest ridges, and I suspect they found enough new snow to blow around and form drifts, sensitive to the weight of a rider. Though most of the slabs have settled and may not be quite as reactive as Friday, there may be a lingering drift or two along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges. While mostly manageable in size and depth, if you're in steep, committing terrain, even a small slide can knock you off your feet or roll your machine.


Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

While it's more the exception than the rule, you can still trigger a slide that breaks to weak snow near the ground. Prime suspects are slopes facing North, Northeast, and East at upper elevations and terrain that avalanched during the Solstice storm.

I look forward to seeing JG's weekly pit. He was up along the Duke yesterday. His trip report is found here.

weather

Partly cloudy skies and breezy along the high peaks as high pressure builds over the region. High temperatures climb into the upper 20's and low 30's, with overnight lows dipping into the 20's. Warm and dry through late Monday and then it looks like a weak system gives us a little coat of fresh, white paint Tuesday into Wednesday.

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 Sunday Jan. 25, 2015.