Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Monday - December 19, 2016 - 3:43am
bottom line

In the wind zone at upper elevations, the avalanche danger is MODERATE today. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE, especially on steep, wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass. Once triggered, today's avalanches have the potential to break deeper and wider than you might expect.

Mid and low elevation wind sheltered terrain offers five star riding and generally LOW avalanche danger
current conditions

Skies remained clear overnight and a warmer, westerly flow is setting up over the region. Compared to yesterday at this time, this mornings temperatures have bumped into the tolerable category, currently registering in the single digits and low teens. West and northwest winds are reasonable as well, blowing just 15-20 mph even along the high peaks. Friday's big storm pasted the region with a couple feet of snow, a couple inches of water, and riding and turning conditions are about as good as they get

Real time wind, snow, and temperatures for the Uinta's are found here.

Recent observations are found here.


Mark Staples was out with a few athletes from the Boondockers crew and confirms... it's over-the-hood and over-the head!

Check out Mark's trip report and great video recap here.

JG's most excellent pit diagram tells it like it is. He was in Upper Weber Canyon yesterday and his obs are found here.
recent activity


Michael Janulaitis has been crushing it this winter with top notch obs and great safe travel advice. The image above illustrates how he got the goods by safely navigating terrain he's been tracking all winter and knew it flushed out earlier this winter...image below. I appreciate all of Michaels hard work informing our community and helping to keep us on top. Strong work man!

A full list of recent avalanche activity is found here.

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

I think we're continuing to turn the corner towards stable snow, and most terrain is good to go... and that's good news. Sort of like an aging Keith Richards celebrating his 73rd birthday, I'm not completely convinced the region is done with its wildness, but it sure feels like we're trending that way. Found mostly on steep, rocky, upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass, todays slabs may be harder to initiate, but once triggered, have the potential to break into weak layers now buried deep in our snowpack.
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

Wind drifts along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges and around terrain features like chutes, gullies, and sub-ridges are today's second avalanche issue. While predictably breaking at or below your skis, board, or sled even a shallow slab can get quickly out of hand if it breaks into deeper buried weak layers as it crashes down on the slope below.
weather

Today we can expect sunny skies and temperatures warming into the mid 20's as high pressure builds into the West Coast. West and northwest winds remain reasonable, in the 15-25 mph range along the ridges. Clouds increase Tuesday ahead of the next storm system which pushes a cold front through the area, bringing light snow late Tuesday into early Wednesday morning.
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]

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 will be updated by 7:00 AM on Tuesday December 20th.