Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Saturday - November 28, 2015 - 5:33am
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In general most terrain throughout the range offers a LOW avalanche danger.

However, at and above treeline, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. While pockety at best, human triggered avalanches are possible, on steep, wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass.




current conditions

Scattered snow showers overnight delivered another inch or two of very light density snow across the range and southwest winds increased early this morning, currently blowing 10-20 mph along the high ridges. Cold air continues to filter into the region ushering in temperatures in the single digits. Our western Uinta weather station network is up and running. Click here for real time snow, winds, and temperatures.

We visited the south half of the range yesterday where it's still pretty shallow and riding options are limited to road rides or low angle grassy meadows.

Recent trip reports and observations are found here.

recent activity

No recent avalanche activity to report, but we are posting observations from the backcountry on a daily basis now. See or trigger an avalanche? Shooting cracks? Hear a collapse? It's simple. Go here to fill out an observation.

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

It's been pretty quiet along the eastern front so far this season and with just about 18"-24" of total snow depth, there's barely enough snow to get around and travel. Unfortunately, these shallow, early season snow conditions aren't boding well for the future as our thin snowpack gets progressively weak and sugary over time. So yea, you know the drill.... once it starts storming again, it's gonna be sketchy. However, in the mean time, the avalanche danger is pretty straight-forward and a few fresh drifts along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges is today's main avalanche concern. Remember- it's still really thin out there and even a shallow slide can take you for a nasty ride through rocks and stumps barely hidden under our shallow snowpack.

Trent stomps on what we call a "test slope" which gives us a baseline to how to snow might react. A "test slope" is usually a road cut or similar terrain feature that has little or no consequence if it does avalanche. In this case, the snow was pretty was pretty well-behaved.

Weak, sugary snow pours off my mitten. The south half of the range is super thin.... not a good setup if winter returns from its hiatus.

weather

The low pressure system that brought us the Thanksgiving storm continues to pull in moisture from the east and that'll keep on-again, off-again snow showers in the forecast through early Sunday. Temperatures remain cold, barely reaching into the teens with overnight lows near zero. Winds will be variable, but generally blowing in the 10-20 mph range along the high ridges. There's a better shot of snow slated for late Sunday as one last wave of moisture slides through the region. High pressure builds for next week with a slow warming trend on tap. The computer models hint at a storm for late in the week... we'll keep you posted.

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]. To register for the first in our series of on-the-snow sled specific classes you can register here.

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.

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but be will be updated by 7:00 AM on Sunday November 29th.