Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Sunday - March 22, 2015 - 5:32am
bottom line

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE and human triggered slides are possible on steep, sun exposed slopes. Remember- terrain facing the north half of the compass is getting its first taste of strong sunshine, and avalanches triggered in steep, rocky terrain have the potential to break deeper and wider than you might expect.

Most other terrain offers a LOW avalanche danger.
current conditions

A weak, cool front slid through the region late yesterday, bumping temperatures down into the upper 20's overnight. Northwest winds are light, blowing just 10-15 mph even along the highest peaks. It'll be another great day for exploring on a "go anywhere" base. The melt freeze cycle is providing bomber supportability on slopes facing the south half of the compass, but there's not much loose snow to keep your machine cool, especially early in the morning. Might be a good call to let things soften a bit before battling the frozen old tracks.

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

It might cost a little to get there... but the Mirror Lake Highway is offering spectacular views for free.

Ted was in the Whitney Basin yesterday and his trip report is found here.
recent activity

This recent wet slide on the steep, east face of Lofty Lake Peak started off as a point release which then broke into weak snow around a series of rock bands.
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

In general avalanche conditions are pretty straight-forward, though steep, rocky slopes, facing the north half of the snowpack still have issues. In steep terrain that has had a thin, weak snowpack all season, it's possible to trigger a shallow wet sluff that then breaks into weak snow as it descends the slope. Not a big issue unless you're in technical, unforgiving terrain or where the avalanche debris gets channeled into a terrain trap like a gully or road cut. Best rule of thumb is- if you feel the snow getting damp or punchy, simply move to a cooler aspect, get off of and out from steep, sunny slopes, or just call it a day.
weather

A nice start to the day with mostly sunny skies, light winds, and temperatures warming into the mid 40's. By late in the day clouds increase and southwest winds ramp up into the 20's and 30's ahead of two fast moving systems slated to impact the region early in the week. The first storm arrives Monday and should stack up 2"- 4" of snow before the next system slides through on Tuesday with an additional 2"- 4"... maybe 3"-6" if we're lucky. Much cooler temperatures usher this moisture our way with daytime highs in the 30's. Sunny, dry weather returns for midweek.
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 Mar. 25, 2015 or sooner if conditions warrant.