Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Thursday - January 25, 2018 - 3:15am
bottom line

In the wind zone at and above treeline the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep, wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass and particularly those with an easterly component to their aspect. Once triggered, today's avalanches can quickly get out of hand if they break into weak layers of snow now buried several feet deep in our snowpack.

Mid elevation terrain terrain offers MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep leeward slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Most wind sheltered mid and low elevation terrain, especially south facing slopes offer generally LOW avalanche danger.
current conditions

Clouds began streaming into the region late yesterday and thickened overnight as a storm system sets it's sights on the region for a late afternoon arrival. Meanwhile, temperatures are in the teens and low 20's and southerly winds are cranking 30-60 mph along the ridges. Winds have blasted our big, open bowls, but soft settled snow is found on wind sheltered mid elevation terrain.

Above are 24 hour temperatures and snow depth from Trial Lake along with winds and temperatures from Lofty Lake Peak Peak. More remote Uinta weather stations are found here

One of JG's beautifully detailed pit profiles from Weber Canyon yesterday, clearly illustrating the snowpack sturcture in that zone. There's a great body of recent trip reports, observations, and snow data found here.


recent activity

The slab above was triggered low on the slope early Wednesday morning. Yep.... this is what we call a persistent slab. And nope... you don't have to be climbing to kick the legs out from underneath it. Click here to see how this slab is reacting to our additional weight.
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

The recent string of human triggered slides breaking to weak snow near and around the Thanksgiving raincrust is proof positive the snowpack is not happy in its own skin. The snowpack is still developing and right now it's sort of in its teenage years and flies off the handle pretty easily. Tricky at best... the snowpack is gaining strength and feels strong under our skis, board, or sled. Scary at worst... the snowpack allows us to get well out onto the slope before it fails. And like my teenage years... look at it the wrong way and you're staring down the barrel of an unpredictable slide.

Once triggered, an avalanche breaking into weak layers of snow now buried in our midpack, will quickly get out of hand and instantly ruin our day. The most likely suspects are steep, wind drifted slopes facing north half of the compass. Since this avalanche dragon is unpredictable, the best offense is a good defense... you simply avoid it. Swing around to lower elevation south facing slopes or choose low angle terrain with no steep slopes above or adjacent to the slopes your riding.

This is a spooky setup because it's unpredictable. Slides are not only breaking in big, open bowls, but also in the trees which we normally think of as "safe zones".
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

Winds increased late yesterday and rapidly formed fresh drifts about a foot or so deep that were reactive to the additional weight of a person. With winds cranking overnight, I expect this mornings drifts are deeper and more widespread. Identifiable by their fat, rounded appearance, today you'll want to avoid steep wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass. As winds ramp up even more in the next couple of hours, this mornings manageable drifts will morph into this afternoons bigger, badder brother and will easily boss you around onve triggered.
weather


A weakening storm system bumping to our north gives us lots of blow, but not much snow. Look for a brief burst of snow later today with storm totals in the 3"-6" range by Friday morning. Southerly winds rip along the ridges, gusting into 60's and 70's, before switching to the northwest and mellowing late in the day. High temperatures reach into the mid 30's and crash into the teens overnight. High pressure builds on Friday through the weekend.
general announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Friday January 26, 2018.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.