Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Uintas Area Mountains Issued by Craig Gordon for Monday - March 12, 2018 - 3:45am
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In upper elevation terrain, especially in the wind zone at and above treeline, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep slopes facing the north half of the compass, particularly those with an easterly component to their aspect. Any avalanche breaking into weak layers of snow, now buried deeper in our snowpack will quickly ruin your day.

LOW avalanche danger exists on mid and lower elevation, wind sheltered terrain and on most slopes facing the south half of the compass.




current conditions

Skies are clear and temperatures in the low to mid 20's. Southwest winds are blowing in the teens and 20's along the high ridges. Riding and turning conditions are a mixed bag. Sunny slopes are crusted and will soften rapidly today. While on the other side of the compass, soft, settled powder is a dwindling commodity, but is still found on wind sheltered, shady slopes.

Above are 24 hour temperatures and snow depth near Currant Creek along with winds and temperatures from Windy Peak. More remote Uinta weather stations are found here

You can find a great body of recent trip reports, observations, and snow data here.


recent activity

No significant avalanche activity since Friday.

A list of recent avalanches 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

In most terrain across the range the pack is happy in its own skin. However, the Uinta's are a big zone and I bet there's still a surprise or two lurking out there today. Take a look at the picture above from Wednesday's Humpy Creek slide. Curious that the steep slopes to the lookers left stayed intact, while the nearby slope to the right avalanched. Investigating the slide we found just a little nuance in snowpack structure along with a slight midslope breakover. The 4th rider on the slope was able to knock the legs out from under the slab... and yes, these are the characteristics of a persistent slab. Just when you're feeling good about stability... bam! You're staring down the barrel of a scary slide. The way we manage unpredictable avalanche dragons is to simply avoid where they live. If you're looking for powder and safe riding, simply tone down your slope angles and avoid terrian with steep, wind drifted slopes hanging above you.

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 particularly widespread, there might be a rogue drift or two that remains reactive to the additional weight of a rider. Stiff wind slabs are most prevalent on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges and around terrain features like chutes and gullies. Today's hard slabs are gonna be a bit stubborn, but once triggered, can potentially break deeper and wider than you might expect and are gonna pack a punch. You can ride safely today by looking for and avoiding fat, rounded pillows of snow, especially if they sound hollow like a drum.

weather


A ridge of high pressure brings mostly sunny skies and light winds to the region into mid week. High temperatures climb into the 40's today with overnight lows dipping into the 20's. Slightly warmer for Tuesday. Strong southerly winds develop Tuesday night and Wednesday ahead of the next storm system. Expect snow showers Wednesday through Thursday night. Snow levels initially start high on Wednesday, but lower as cold air slide through the region by Thursday morning. Stormy weather is on tap for 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 Tuesday March 13th, 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.