Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Saturday - January 27, 2018 - 3:11am
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 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

Under a viel of high thin clouds it's cold, with current temperatures in the single digits. Southerly winds are blowing 15-25 mph along the high peaks. Thursday night's little storm delivered 7" of light, white, chin tickling goodness. And while recent winds blasted our big open bowls, soft settled snow is found on wind sheltered, mid elevation, shady 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 clearly illustrating the snowpack sturcture in that zone. There's a great body of recent trip reports, observations, and snow data found here.

The graph above reveals a lean snowpack... I'm thinking 3-4% bodyfat. Might look great at the beach, but in the long run a thin snowpack leads to dangerous avalanche conditions.
recent activity

A TALE OF TWO AVALANCHE DRAGONS-

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.

While Thursday night's fresh snow and wind created manageable sluffs and shallow drifts in upper elevation, leeward terrain. (Janulaitis photo)
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

Since Thursday night, winds have all over the place, forming fresh drifts in upper elevation terrain. Now there's coat of fresh, white paint hiding these slabs, making them harder to detect. However, a keen eye and a quick scan of the landscape helps you identify fat, rounded pillows of snow. Found mostly on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges, I bet a rogue drift or two still lurks around a terrain feature like a chute or gully wall. Today you'll want to avoid steep wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass. (Kikkert photo)
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

Once triggered, like the slab above from midweek, 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, rocky, 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. (Kikkert photo)
weather

After a sunny start we can expect increasing clouds and wind as a weak weather system brushes by the area. Highs reach into the low 30's and westerly winds increase into the 40's by days end. A slight chance for snow is on tap for late today and tonight. Winds strengthen along the upper ridgelines overnight, gusting into the 60's and 70's. Scattered snow showers are on tap for Sunday before high pressure builds for early in the week.
general announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Sunday January 28, 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.