Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Sunday - January 24, 2016 - 4:55am
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In the wind zone, at and above treeline, a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists. Human triggered avalanches are probable on steep, wind drifted slopes, particularly on slopes facing the north half of the compass, and especially on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. Any avalanche that breaks to weak, sugary snow near the ground has the potential to be deep and dangerous.

In steep, mid elevation terrain, a MODERATE avalanche danger is found and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Looking for LOW avalanche danger? Simply avoid being on or under steep wind drifted slopes. You can have a blast carving deep trenches in big, open meadows or seek out turns in wind sheltered terrain.
special announcement

Our collective thoughts, prayers, and energy go out to friends and family of Douglas Green who was tragically killed in an avalanche accident Thursday while skiing Gobbler's Knob in Big Cottonwood Canyon. An accident report is found here.
current conditions

Under cloudy skies, temperatures are in the low to mid 20's, light snow is still falling, but in general the storm is winding down. In its wake an evenly distributed 6" of medium density snow stacked up across the range. Yesterday's annoying southwest winds gusting into the 50's and 60's, mellowed out around midnight, switched to the west then northwest and are currently blowing 15-25 mph along the high peaks. It'll be a great day to get after it and wind sheltered, mid and upper elevation shady slopes offer soft, creamy snow.

January has been good to the eastern front and the range is growing phat and getting white!

Trip reports and observations are found here.
recent activity

On Friday, this pocket was triggered by collapsing the slope from above.

And this pocket was triggered low on the slope... same characteristics. Common theme is steep, north facing terrain that slid to the ground during the Solstice Storm.

Recent avalanche observations are found here.

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

Two differant snowpacks... two differant problems. Where the pack is deep, fresh wind drifts breaking at or below your skis, board, or sled are today's most obvious avalanche problem. While generally manageable in size, a rogue slab on a steep, leeward slope in the wind zone, could take you for a ride and let you know who's boss. Best bet is not to pull on the dogs tail and simply avoid fat, rounded pieces of snow, especially if they sound hollow like a drum.
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

Not so obvious, but much more dangerous, are avalanches that break to weak snow near the ground. This slide triggered Friday on a steep, wind drifted, north facing slope is a repeater. It avalanched early in January, breaking to the ground, leaving behind a weak, shallow snowpack. We were able to safely navigate our way down the slope by reducing our slope angle and descending terrain where we know the pack is deep. If you don't have a good history of the snowpack or the terrain your riding in... you're rolling the dice.
weather

Under mostly cloudy skies, snow showers linger this morning, though additional accumulations look pretty light.... maybe another 2" or so. Northwest winds remain pretty well behaved, blowing 10-20 mph with a few gusts in the 30's along the high peaks. Temperatures don't vary much from where we're at this morning, but as clouds thin out through the evening, overnight lows dip into the low teens. Perhaps a few flakes for Monday morning and then high pressure begins building in earnest with strong warming forecast Tuesday through Thursday.
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 Monday, January 25th.