Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Sunday - February 22, 2015 - 5:30am
bottom line

In general the avalanche danger is LOW.

However, above treeline, pockets of MODERATE danger exist along the leeward side of the high ridges, where you might find a manageable wind drift or two sensitive to the weight of a rider.
special announcement

RESEARCH PROJECT ON UNDERSTANDING TRAVEL BEHAVIOR IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN NEEDS YOU!

Scientists from the Snow and Avalanche Lab at Montana State University are seeking more participants for their project examining decision making and travel in avalanche terrain. Their project aims to collect GPS location information (from your smartphone) and survey responses from backcountry skiers and riders to better understand what types of terrain are used and how decisions are made. Their focus is on backcountry skiers and riders of all abilities and experience.

For more information: www.montana.edu/snowscience/tracks For snowmobilers: www.montana.edu/snowscience/sleds

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

Skies cleared overnight, winds are calm even along the high ridges, and temperatures are in the single digits. Storm totals are close to a foot on the north half of the range. South of Trial Lake, snow totals are right around 5". Riding and turning conditions have completely turned around since a week ago... get out and get after it!

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

Very manageable... sluffing in the new snow and a few shallow soft slabs on steep, leeward slopes.
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

Amazing! A foot of new snow and in general the avalanche danger is pretty straight-forward. However, it's not a total no brainer kinda day. Here's a few things to consider-

  • With a "go anywhere" supportable base, if you're getting after it and climbing steep, technical terrain, take a moment, think about the consequences of triggering even a small avalanche, and have an exit strategy planned.
  • There could be a fresh wind drift or two sensitive to the weight of a rider along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges. If winds increase the drifts will become more widespread and sensitive. Lose a little elevation and you'll lose the problem.
weather

Today we can expect partly cloudy skies, east and northeast winds in the 10-20 mph range, and temperatures climbing into the upper teens and low 20's. As the north half of the state dries out, southern Utah gets in on the action for a good shot of snow. Clear and warming for Monday and Tuesday with another system dropping into our region Wednesday. A fairly active storm track is slated through 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]

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 Wednesday Feb. 25, 2015.