avalanche advisory

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 3, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Saturday, December 03, 2005 7:00am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Saturday, December 03, 2005, and its about 7:00 am.
The 1st annual Wasatch Winter Film Festival (a.k.a.The White Room), featuring local amateur ski & snowboard films, will be held at Prospector Square Conference Center in Park City tonight, December 3rd, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.  The White Room is a fundraiser for the Utah Avalanche Center and the Youth Winter Sports Alliance. More information is available at www.freeridemagazine.com. Advance tickets are available at www.FeedTheHabit.com
Wasatch Touring will sponsor the 1st annual Avalanche Roundtable discussion on Monday, December 5th at 7:30 pm in Memory Grove at the Memorial House. Three avalanche survivors will tell their stories, including mountaineer Jeff Lowe, and locals Rick Hoffman and Steve Walcher. It is free and open to the public.
Current Conditions:
This morning, light snow is falling, and there is a chilly combination of single digit temperatures and northwesterly winds in the 15 to 20 mph range. Over the last two days, the mountains have picked up an additional 9 to 16 of snow, with 1 to 2 inches of water content. During the storm, winds were moderate to strong from the southwest through northwesterly directions. Turning and riding conditions are very good in creamy powder, and fast even on low and moderate angled slopes.
Avalanche Conditions:
The avalanche season is definitely here, and backcountry travelers need to use caution today. Yesterday, numerous slides were reported, both within the new snow and deeper slides breaking on the faceted snow near the ground. The new snow slides were on steep wind drifted slopes, and should be less sensitive today.
The slides breaking into old snow are the scarier ones. There was a natural in the Ogden area mountains 3 to 5 deep by 500 wide (photo, photo), and ski area control work with explosives and ski cuts released numerous slides into old snow in the Cottonwoods and on the Park City side. The largest were 3 to 6 deep, and up to 350 wide, with slides 50 to 100 wide being more common. There were two skier triggered slides in the Cottonwoods, one remotely and one where the person took a ride and was partially buried, but OK. These slides were 30 to 50 wide and 2 to 4 deep. The weak layer is sugary facets near the ground. The facets are most widespread on shady slopes, northwest through easterly facing, from as low as 7,500 to the ridge crests.   A person would be mostly likely to trigger one of these slides in shallow, rocky spot. Also avoid terrain traps, such as traveling directly under steep slopes of mine dumps and in gullies, where the snow from even a small slide can pile up deeply enough to bury you. Collapsing noises and cracking are signs that you are in an area with unstable snowpack layering.
For more information, check out the Backcountry Avalanche List and the Current Snow Profile, which Ill update later this morning.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, facing northwest through east, above about 7,500 feet. These slopes have weak faceted snow near the ground, and slides could be triggered by a person, especially in shallower snow pack areas. Human triggered slides are probable on these slopes. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on other slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, and there is a LOW danger on slopes less steep than about 30 degrees.
Mountain Weather:
A moist and unstable northwest flow will remain over the area through Sunday. Lake effect snow showers could add another 5 to 6 inches of low density fluff to areas favored by northwest flow today and again tonight. 10,000 temperatures will remain in the single digits through Sunday, and ridge top winds will be from the northwest, in the 20 to 25 mph range.

Seasonal Weather History Charts. (NOTE: USE INTERNET EXPLORER FOR BEST VIEWING)
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. We appreciate all information. You can call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax to 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Drew Hardesty will update this advisory Sunday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 6, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Tuesday, December 06, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Brett Kobernik with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Tuesday, December 06, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
Up coming avalanche awareness talks by the UAC staff include:
Dec 6    7 pm       Full Throttle Power Sports 240 N Frontage Rd, Centerville
Dec 6    7 pm       Black Diamond Retail 2092 E 3900 S, SLC
Dec 7    7 pm       Lady of the Snows, Alta
Dec 13 7 pm       REI, 3285 E, 3300 S, SLC
Dec 14 6:60 pm Mnt High Motorsports, 8262 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan
Dec 14 7 pm       South Valley Unitarian, 6876 S Highland Dr.
Current Conditions:
As a storm system approaches, ridgetop temperatures are dipping into the single digits with ridge top winds around 20 mph from the northwest with gusts into the 50s at the more exposed locations. Snow is just starting to fall in the mountains.
Avalanche Conditions:
It looks like we dodged a bullet over the last week. With plenty of weak snow deeper in the pack, we never received a large enough new load at a rapid enough rate for things to come totally unglued. However, no avalanche worker that I know has dismissed the buried faceted snow as of now. This problem remains a concern for today. With a lot of folks out yesterday reporting improved stability, you can still find areas where the snowpack is collapsing. This is a sure sign of unstable snow. This problem is most pronounced in areas that had a thin snowpack prior to Thanksgiving. You also may still find some problems in thin areas of the upper Cottonwoods where the snowpack is the deepest, but, the problem is more pockety in nature there.
You will also want to pay attention to drifting of the new snow that will fall during the day. The new snow will be light density but with gusty winds, this snow can get blown into thick drifts that could be sensitive to the weight of a person.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is MODERATE however, keep in mind that triggering an avalanche that breaks into older snow could be disastrous. Also, the danger will be on the rise during the day with the new snow and gusty winds expected. Watch for cracking in fresh drifts especially along the upper ridges on northeast through southeast aspects.
Mountain Weather:
Youll want to bundle up and hang on to your hats as ridgetop temperatures will remain in the single digits with ridgetop wind speeds from the northwest in the 20 to 25 mph range. Strong winds will not be as pronounced lower in the drainages. Snow will fall throughout the day with 4 to 8 inches possible. The artic air mass moves in tonight dropping ridgetop temperatures to around zero. This cold period will be short lived and temperatures will warm Thursday as a ridge of high pressure sets in.

Seasonal Weather History Charts. (NOTE: USE INTERNET EXPLORER FOR BEST VIEWING)
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. We appreciate all information. You can call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax to 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Wednesday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 7, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Wednesday, December 07, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Wednesday, December 07, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
Up coming avalanche awareness talks by the UAC staff include:
Dec 7    7 pm       Lady of the Snows, Alta
Dec 7 7 pm       Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Orem
Dec 13 7 pm       REI, 3285 E, 3300 S, SLC
Dec 14 6:60 pm Mnt High Motorsports, 8262 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan
Dec 14 7 pm       South Valley Unitarian, 6876 S Highland Dr.
Current Conditions:
Yesterdays snow producing storm coated the mid and upper elevations with 1 to 2 of classic Utah powder from the Logan to the Provo mountains. The snow water equivalent ranged from three quarters of an inch to an inch and an half. Temperature wise, its another toe numbing morning, with the mercury reading near zero at most locations. On the plus side, yesterdays strong northwesterly winds have decreased to less than 15 mph.
Avalanche Conditions:
Yesterday, the combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds resulted in many reports of shallow new snow slides and sluffs, some running long distances. Highway control work in Little Cottonwood Canyon resulted in 3 slides reaching the road, and a party of snowmobilers triggered a slide with a debris pile deep enough to bury a machine. (We could use more information on this slide, so please give us a call at 524-5304. Thanks!) Today, it will still be possible to trigger new snow slides and sluffs, especially in wind drifted areas, with the larger slides having enough volume to catch, carry and bury a person. But I expect the new snow to stabilize rapidly today, and new snow slides to be harder to trigger by this afternoon.
The other avalanche problem is that the new snow may have once again overloaded the weak sugary facets near the ground on some slopes. This is the same tricky pattern as last week there are only a few places where the weight of a person or new snow slide could trigger a slide on facets, but if released, the slide will be deep and dangerous. The most likely slopes to trigger a deeper slide would be northwest through easterly facing, above about 8,500. So once again, give the facets some time to adjust to the new load. Start your backcountry travel today on lower angle, non wind drifted slopes, and very gradually work into the steeper terrain. Any collapsing is a sign of unstable snow.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on slopes steeper than 35 degrees with recent drifts of wind blown snow. Both soft slabs and sluffs are possible, with drifting most common on northeast through southeasterly facing slopes. On a few shady slopes, facing the north half of the compass, it may be possible for slides to break on the weak facets near the ground, resulting in a deep, dangerous slide. Other steep slopes have a MODERATE danger.
Mountain Weather:
A very cold arctic air mass has settled across northern Utah and will remain in place through tonight. Partly cloudy skies this morning, with a few snow flurries possible. The northerly winds should remain less 15 mph. Frigid 10,000 temperatures will stay near zero today. A dry air mass will be in place through the weekend, with 10,000 temperatures gradually warming to near 20 Thursday.

Seasonal Weather History Charts. (NOTE: USE INTERNET EXPLORER FOR BEST VIEWING)
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. We appreciate all information. You can call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax to 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Bruce Tremper will update this advisory by 7:30 Thursday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 8, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Thursday, December 08, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Bruce Tremper with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Thursday, December 08, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
UDOT has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
Up coming avalanche awareness talks by the UAC staff include:
Dec 13 7 pm       REI, 3285 E, 3300 S, SLC
Dec 14 6:60 pm Mnt High Motorsports, 8262 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan
Dec 14 7 pm       South Valley Unitarian, 6876 S Highland Dr.
Current Conditions:
Yesterday was nearly cold enough to remind me of my native Montana. Temperatures were 10-15 degrees below zero yesterday morning. But this morning, we have warmer air pushing into the higher elevations so temperatures have warmed up into the mid teens on the ridge tops. A strong temperature inversion still exists so the mountain valley bottoms remain -15 this morning but it should only be temporary. The new snow has settled quite a bit and trail breaking has become much more reasonable after up to two feet of snow fell a couple days ago.
Avalanche Conditions:
The new snow had time to settle and the cold seemed to put the avalanches into the deep freeze yesterday and we had no significant avalanches reported from the backcountry. Ski area explosive control work, however, produced localized avalanches breaking deep into old, faceted snow near the ground. One was triggered by a ski cut in a steep, rocky, shallow area on the Park City side of the range. So, there are still a few booby traps out there and you cant quite jump into everything with abandon quite yet. In general, though, most avalanche workers, including me, feel like the deep, faceted layer is rapidly gaining strength because its so close to the ground and its now insulated by so much new snow. (Snow profile from west Monitor, or Regional Snow Profile). Photos from old avalanches in west Monitor (photo 1, photo 2.)
In addition today, you should watch for some localized, lingering wind driftshttp://www.avalanche.org/~uac/AdvisoryPhotos05-06/Seth-Roller-Superior-12-07- and also, as temperatures warm up today, watch for a few localized damp sluffs on steep, south facing slopes.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes steeper than 35 degrees with recent drifts of wind blown snow and also MODERATE danger on any slope approaching 35 degrees or steeper above 9,000 that faces the north half of the compass as well as east facing slopes, especially in shallow snowpack areas. This means that there are localized areas where you can still trigger and avalanche and some of those avalanches may be large and deep.
Mountain Weather:
Ridge top temperatures will continue to warm today into the lower 20smuch more reasonable than the -10 degree temperatures yesterday. Skies should be mostly clear with occasional high clouds. Ridge top winds will continue light from the southwest. Down at 8,000, temperatures should rise to a balmy 30 degrees today with an overnight low near 20.

For the extended forecast, we dont see any significant snow for at least the next 10 days but we may get a few clouds after the weekend.

Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. We appreciate all information. You can call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax to 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
We will update this advisory by 7:30 Friday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 9, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Friday, December 09, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Brett Kobernik with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Friday, December 09, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
UDOT has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
Up coming avalanche awareness talks by the UAC staff include:
Dec 13 7 pm           REI, 3285 E, 3300 S, SLC
Dec 14 6:30 pm      Mtn. High Motorsports, 8262 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan
Dec 14 7 pm           South Valley Unitarian, 6876 S Highland Dr.
Current Conditions:
Most people out in the backcountry yesterday were grinning ear to ear. Riding conditions are excellent. High pressure affects the weather today through the weekend with current ridgetop temperatures around 20 and ridgetop wind speeds in the 10 mph range from the northwest with gusts to 40 at the more exposed locations.
Avalanche Conditions:
I personally like the way our snowpack is shaping up right now. In many areas the deeper buried weak snow is gaining strength and there is a thick, strong layer of snow over the top of it. Yesterday, explosives along the Park City Ridgeline and also in the Ogden mountains produced no avalanching. This control work was done in non skier compacted terrain which gives us some good information about the strength of the backcountry snowpack.
(Regional Snow Profile this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)
However, it is still possible to trigger avalanches as a group did yesterday on Miller Hill in upper American Fork Canyon. A ski cut produced a soft slab avalanche on an east facing slope at around 10,300 feet in elevation. It was 12-18 inches deep, around 100 feet wide and ran about 300 feet vertical distance. It was more then likely a wind drift that formed during the last storm.
Along with the possibility of triggering one of these wind slabs today, I would still also watch for pockets where you may trigger an avalanche into old snow. These will be in areas above about 9000 feet on the northerly portions of the compass. The slope will have to be 35 degrees or steeper and will most likely be in areas that are rocky and shallow. Use your inverted ski pole to constantly check for shallow areas as the snowpack still has a lot of variability from place to place.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes steeper than 35 degrees with recent drifts of wind blown snow. A MODERATE danger still exists in steep, rocky areas that have a thin snowpack. This danger is generally on the north half of the compass.
Mountain Weather:
For today well see mostly sunny skies with ridgetop temperatures in the mid 20s and ridgetop wind speeds in 10 to 15 mph range from the northwest. This weekend, ridgetop temperatures will be in the upper 20s with fairly calm winds. For the long range, at least one weather model depicts a possible storm mid week next week.

Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. We appreciate all information. You can call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax to 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Saturday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 10, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Saturday, December 10, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Saturday, December 10, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
UDOT has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
Up coming avalanche awareness talks by the UAC staff include:
Dec 13 7 pm           REI, 3285 E, 3300 S, SLC
Dec 14 6:30 pm      Mountain High Motorsports, 8262 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan
Dec 14 7 pm           South Valley Unitarian, 6876 S Highland Dr.
Current Conditions:
High pressure continues to dominate the weather over northern Utah. Temperatures have warmed into the upper teens and low twenties at most mountain stations this morning, with single digits only to be found in narrow valley bottoms where cold air has pooled. The northwesterly winds increased slightly overnight, and have been blowing in the 25 to 35 mph range across the exposed upper elevation ridgelines. Turning and riding conditions are very good on northwest through easterly facing slopes in settled powder. The sunnier slopes are now crusted, especially those facing south through west.
Avalanche Conditions:
While the snowpack is mostly stable, there are still two avalanche problems that require caution today. First, the brisk northwesterly winds have created new drifts along the upper elevation ridgelines. These drifts could crack out under the weight of a person, so avoid any drifts of wind blown snow on steep slopes.
The second lingering avalanche problem is possibility of triggering a slide on the weak, sugary facets near the ground. The most likely place a person would trigger one of these deeper slides would be on a steep slope facing northwest through east, that is above about 9000 feet and has a shallower, thin snow pack. Avoid shady slopes with extra steep rollovers and shallow rocky areas where the snow depth may be less than about 3 deep.   As you travel, plunge your ski pole handle down into the snow to the ground to estimate the snowpack depth.
As you head into the backcountry today practice safe travel techniques - only one person on a steep slope at a time, watch each other from safe locations, carry rescue gear: beacons, shovels, and probes, and be well practiced at performing a rescue.
Bottom Line:
Many slopes have a LOW avalanche danger today. However, a MODERATE danger remains on any slope steeper than about 35 degrees with new drifts of wind blown snow and on shady, upper elevation slopes steeper than about 35 degrees that have a thin snowpack. With daytime heating, it may be possible to trigger a few wet sluffs today.
Mountain Weather:
High pressure over northern Utah will keep the mountain weather warm and dry through Sunday. 10,000 temperatures today and Sunday will be near freezing, and the northerly winds will decrease today to less than 15 mph. A couple of weak weather disturbances moving by to the north will bring a chance for light snow and cooler temperatures Monday and Tuesday.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)
Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. We appreciate all information. You can call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax to 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Drew Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 Sunday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 14, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Wednesday, December 14, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
UDOT will be sighting in the howitzer in Provo Canyon tomorrow, Thursday morning, between 11 am and noon. There will be intermittent road closures and temporary restrictions on ice climbing until about 1 pm.
The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. Its sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Tonight, the UAC staff is giving two free avalanche awareness talks:
Dec 14 6:30 pm      Mountain High Motorsports, 8262 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan
Dec 14 7 pm           Wasatch Mtn Club: South Valley Unitarian, 6876 S Highland Dr.
Current Conditions:
A cold front blew through midday yesterday, with strong southwest to westerly winds, dropping a stingy trace to an inch of snow. Behind the front, temperatures are hovering around zero this morning. The northerly winds are averaging 10-15 mph with gusts in the 20s, with faster speeds across the highest peaks. The dusting of snow and wind wont have done too much to fill in the heavily tracked Wasatch, and now there is wind damage along the ridgelines and in open bowls.
Avalanche Conditions:
Yesterday, the winds were whipping the snow around, forming drifts along the ridges, in open bowls and even in the lower drainages and canyon bottoms. One party in the Provo mountains triggered a hard wind slab yesterday morning. It was on a 37 degree, easterly facing slope at 9500. It was about 30 wide and 14 deep, and broke about 10 above the person, who quickly grabbed a tree. The newest wind drifts are sitting on weak snow or hard crusts, and will be sensitive to the weight of a person on steep slopes. The dense wind drifts, known as hard slabs, are particularly tricky, letting you get out onto the slope before breaking above you. They are not candidates for ski or slope cuts, and wind drifts should be avoided on steep slopes.
There also remain a few isolated places where a deeper slide could still be triggered, most likely in pockets on very steep, northerly facing slopes in rocky, shallow snowpack areas.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow, which will be found on a variety of aspects and elevations. Other slopes have a mostly LOW danger.
Mountain Weather:
A cold, northerly flow will be over the mountains today as high pressure builds in across the Great Basin. Skies will be partly cloudy, with a few snow flurries possible. Highs will be near 20 at 8,000 and near 10 at 10,000. Winds will remain brisk, in the 15 to 20 mph range across the ridges. Clear skies and cool temperatures tonight and Thursday. Then a series of weak systems will move across northern Utah Friday into next week, with the first expected to bring clouds, but not snow.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)
Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 Thursday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 16, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Friday, December 16, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Bruce Tremper with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Friday, December 16, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. Its sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Our apologies to those who showed up for the avalanche class we advertised for last Wednesday night at High Mountain Motor Sports. Apparently there was a miscommunication on the date and the shop could not change their plans on short notice, so they cancelled the class. Hopefully, we can re-schedule.
Current Conditions:
Temperatures have warmed from zero degrees a couple days ago to a balmy 10 degrees on the ridge tops this morning with a 10 mph wind from the northwest. Backcountry riding conditions remain very good on about 6 inches of soft, recrystallized snow on the northerly, wind-sheltered slopes. But many of the above-tree line slopes have wind damage and the south facing slopes have a sun crust.
Avalanche Conditions:
A skier triggered a small avalanche yesterday in Toledo Chute, which is a very steep, southeast facing slope around 10,000 across the road from Alta. Their ski cut produced a shallow 2-6 inch deep wind slab that broke out about 75 feet wide and ran 100 feet. So, a few wind slabs still linger especially on the steep, shallow, rocky, and wind exposed terrain. Also, from a distance, someone noticed a couple fresh fractures in Alexander Basin, which is in Mill Creek, about 9,000 in elevation on steep, east facing slopes. We dont have any other information on these so if you know anything, let us know.

Despite these localized instabilities, the overall avalanche danger remains low. It has been several days since we had strong winds and the cold temperatures and clear skies continue to rot out the snow surface into very weak, faceted snow that runs through your fingers like salt crystals. In the thin snowpack areas, the entire snowpack is rapidly turning into weak, depth hoar. But to make an avalanche, you need a slab on top of the weak layer. Right nowwith the exception of some of the lingering wind driftswere missing the slab. If significant new snow or wind creates a slab on top of this weak snow, it will certainly produce some very dangerous avalanche conditions. But in until then, the snow seems content to sit quietly and the weather seems content to not give us a slab.
Bottom Line:
For today most slopes have a LOW danger with isolated pockets of MODERATE danger on upper elevation, steep slopes with lingering wind drifts.
Mountain Weather:
Today, we have a few clouds coming in from the north and they could produce some scattered, light snow showers. Ridge top temperatures should remain 10-15 degrees with ridge top winds around 10 mph from the northwest. Down at 8,000 temperatures should rise to the mid 20s. Temperatures should remain cool on Saturday, but then we have warmer air from the west pushing in for Sunday and Monday, which will raise the ridge top temperatures into the mid 20s. Right now, we dont see any significant snow in the forecast, but we should start to get more weak disturbances from the west for next week.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)
Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Wasatch Powderbird Guides will be in Mineral Fork, Cardiff Fork, Silver Fork, Days Fork and Grizzly Gulch.
We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Saturday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 17, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Saturday, December 17, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Saturday, December 17, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
We are giving two free avalanche awareness talks next week:
Dec 20th        7pm    Wasatch Touring, SLC
Dec 21st         7pm    Wanship Fire Station

The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. Its sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Current Conditions:
Under cloudy skies, light snow has just started to fall in the mountains. Temperatures are once again in the chilly single digits this morning at most elevations, and the winds are generally light, less than 10 mph, with slightly higher speeds across the tallest peaks.
Wind sheltered, shady slopes have good riding conditions in soft, recrystallized powder, though its difficult to find untracked snow. Southerly facing slopes are crusted and many upper elevations slopes are wind damaged, with mix of supportable and breakable wind crusts. The snowpack is getting weak and punchy at the low and mid elevations, so there is a risk of sinking in and hitting rocks or logs.
Avalanche Conditions:
Avalanche wise, the snow pack is about as exciting as the month old leftovers on the bottom shelf in my fridge. No new activity was reported from the backcountry yesterday, but there are still a few avalanche problems to be on the lookout for. The surface snow is sluffing on very steep, shady slopes, and any new snow we receive today will bond poorly to the hard crusts and weak surface snow. So if youre in an area that receives more than about 3 inches of new snow, expect shallow sluffs on steep slopes of all aspects. There may also still be a few places where a person could trigger an old hard wind slab, which are most widespread along the upper elevation ridgelines and in open bowls. Neither of these avalanche problems is likely to bury you, but these small slides could knock you off balance and send you for a ride down a steep chute or over a cliff.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is generally LOW today, but that doesnt mean no danger. There are isolated steep slopes where a person could trigger a shallow sluff or an old wind drift.
Mountain Weather:
A weak storm system moving over northern Utah today will bring mostly cloudy skies, with 1 to 3 inches of mountain snow possible. The westerly winds should remain light, generally less than 15 mph. Cool temperatures will persist, with highs in the single digits to low teens. Snow showers will continue tonight through Monday, with a trace to a few inches possible each 12 hour period. Mountain temperatures will gradually warm into the upper teens and low 20s by Monday. Then high pressure will return for mid week.
Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)
Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides skied in Mineral, Cardiff, Silver, Days and Grizzly Gulch, and weather permitting, they will be in the same drainages today, plus stepping through American Fork to check on Cascade ridge conditions.
We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
Drew Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 Sunday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 20, 2005

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 7:30am
Good morning, this is Bruce Tremper with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Tuesday, December 20, 2005, and its about 7:30 am.
We are giving two free avalanche awareness talks this week:

Dec 21st         7pm    Wanship Fire Station

The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. Its sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

I will be giving a free avalanche awareness talk tonight at Wasatch Touring at 7:00 pm, which is at 1st south and 7th east in Salt Lake City.

Current Conditions:
Overnight, very dense snow continued to fall. Most of the range got around 2 inches but Little Cottonwood Canyon picked up 4 inches. However, it was a very non-Utah-like 15-20 % water weight with 0.6 0.8 inches of water. If we got that much water with last weekends cold temperatures it would have produced 2-3 feet of snow. Thats because temperatures are extremely warm this morning with the mountains in a misty, London-fog-like weather. Its near freezing at 8,000 and 25 degrees on the ridge tops. Last night, winds blew 20, gusting to 40 on most of the ridge tops and 50 gusting to 70 in the most exposed peaks. Yesterday, backcountry travelers reported very difficult trail breaking conditions on the west side of the range where the new snow had quite a bit of rime in it and was upside down and slabby. On the east side of the range, through, the snow was not nearly as upside down and riding conditions were not too bad. So thats probably the hot tip for the day.
Avalanche Conditions:
Yesterday, there was not a whole lot of avalanche activity in the backcountry as most people described the slabs as stubborn but explosive control work in the ski areas produced localized, stiff slabs. (Photo 1 from Provo, Photo 2 from Provo) The avalanches tended to break up above you and once they got going, they produced a high volume of snow that ran a long way. Today, Im worried about two different avalanche problems:

First, the winds blew hard last night from the west, so you will likely find some hard wind slabs along the ridge tops. These will likely be hard to trigger but they will break above you and could be large. So as always, you should avoid any steep slope with recent wind deposits.

The second avalanche problem is the very weak layers of buried faceted snow that formed during the dry spell these past couple weeks. Weve had quite a bit of water weight added over the past three daysbetween 1.5 to 2.5 inches and Im a bit worried about all the new weight overloading those layers, especially in the thin snowpack areas.   So today, you should continue to be very suspicious of steep slopes that face the north half of the compass as well as east facing slopes, especially in thinner snowpack areas.
Bottom Line:
Although the overall avalanche danger is MODERATE today, there is a CONSIDERABLE danger on any steep slope with recent wind drifts, which you will find mostly along the ridge tops. There is also a CONSIDERABLE danger on any steep slope that faces north through east quadrants of the compass, especially in thin snowpack areas such as at mid slope. Avalanches on these slopes will likely be difficult to trigger but if you do they will likely be medium to large and difficult to escape.
Mountain Weather:
Today will be very warm and moist with fog and scattered clouds. Ridge top temperatures will be around freezing and 8,000 temperatures will be in the upper 30s. Ridge top winds have died down and should stay reasonable at around 10-15 mph from the west. We have a weak ridge building over us to today with even warmer temperatures on Wednesday. Then, we should get another shot of snow for northern Utah on Thursday and Friday. After that, we have a ridge building over us for the holiday weekend.
Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)
Seasonal Weather History Charts.
Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides didnt get out due to weather and they probably wont get out today either. If they can get out today, theyll be in Cardiff, Days, Mineral, Grizzly, with another ship in American Fork. For more info, call 742-2800.
We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)
UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.
The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)
I will update this advisory by 7:30 Wednesday morning. Thanks for calling.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 22, 2005

December 22, 2005 - 8:20 am Forecaster: Brett KobernikThis is our new graphical advisory format. You can update your bookmarks to this link:Graphic Avalanche Advisory We will publish both this text-based advisory as well as the new graphical version so you can choose which one you prefer. Let us know about any formatting problems. Click on the danger rose for a turtorial.Bottom Line:There is a MODERATE danger today of triggering a fresh wind slab along the upper elevation ridgelines. There is also a MODERATE danger of wet avalanches below about 7000’ to 8000’ feet.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs The first concern for today will be fresh snow and wind drifts. I think the new snow should bond fairly well to the old surface however, whenever there are significant winds with new snowfall we need to pay attention to any potential drifting. Perform slope cuts on any test slopes you can find. Jump on obvious drifts that are in safe terrain to see how they react.

24 Hrs My next concern has to do with the extended period of warm temperatures we are experiencing. I would avoid any steep slopes especially terrain traps at lower elevations that have damp, manky snow. Look for rollerballs and pin wheeling which are signs of wet snow. Poke your hand or ski pole into the snow to see if it is damp and loose. If you are finding these conditions, stay off of steep slopes.

No avalanche activity was reported from Wednesday and most people were not finding any collapsing within the snowpack either. Even though the snowpack seems to be mostly stable, one of our observers put it best by saying it’s hard to trust.

A warm and windy storm is starting to affect the Wasatch Mountains this morning which will bring snowfall until around 10 am. Snow levels are around 8000’. 10,000’ temperatures remained warm overnight in the mid 30s and are currently around freezing with 8000’ temperatures around 40. Ridgetop wind speeds have been picking up and are in the 20 mph range gusting into the 50s

Light snow is falling in the mountains. 1 to 3 inches is expected this morning with scattered showers possible through the afternoon. Ridgetop temperatures will drop into the upper 20s during the snowfall and winds will continue to be blustery in the 20 to 30 mph range this morning then tapering off a bit this afternoon.

Another warm storm system will affect the mountains of northern Utah again tonight bringing a better shot of snow with another 6 inches possible. Ridgetop temperatures will remain around freezing and ridgetop winds will be in the 20 to 30 mph range from the west southwest then switching northwest late.

High pressure sets in for the weekend and into Monday.

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts

The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. It’s sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in Cardiff and Grizzly Gulch. They probably won’t get out today but if they do they’ll be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly and American Fork. For more info, call 742-2800.

We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)

Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Thursday morning.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 23, 2005

December 23, 2005 - 7:25 am The danger of wet slides and sluffs is MODERATE this morning on steep slopes below about 8,500’. The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE on steep, sunny slopes of all elevations once skies clear. Both natural and human triggered wet sluffs and slabs will be possible. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes with recent drifts of wind blown snow.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 10 Hrs Overnight rain has soaked the snow pack below about 8000’ (9000’ Ogden mountains) and wet snow sluffs will be easy to trigger on steep slopes. Sinking in to slushy snow and roller balls are signs you need to stay off of steep slopes. Avoid traveling in terrain traps such gullies and below steep road cuts where even a small avalanche can pile the wet snow up deeply. As skies clear and become sunny today, the danger of wet snow sluffs and slabs will rise on and below steep sunny slopes at all elevations. Both human triggered and natural wet sluffs and wet slabs will be possible, so avoid travel on and below steep sunny slopes.

24 Hrs At the more wintry upper elevations, the combination of dense snow and strong winds will have created stubborn drifts of wind blown snow, especially along the ridgelines. These drifts will be tricky, and let you get out onto a slope before breaking above you. Once a slide starts moving, it has the potential to trigger a deeper slide on upper elevation, northerly facing slopes. Cornices are softening, and may break back further back than expected.

No avalanche activity was reported form yesterday. A night of mixed rain and snow has created a wet, soggy mess this morning. Above about 9,000 feet, 6” of damp, 15 to 20 percent density snow has been reported. Below about 8,000’, over an inch of rain has fallen in many locations from Ogden to Provo. Temperatures have cooled to near 30 at 9,500’, but remain above freezing at 7,500’. Winds have shifted from the southwest to the northwest, and are in the 10 to 20 mph range, with gusts in the 30’s. Across the higher peaks, hourly averages are closer to 30 mph with gusts to 60. Last night’s storm is rapidly exiting the area this morning, with slightly cooler air filtering in behind it. This will produce a few additional snow showers this morning before the skies clear. The northwesterly ridgetop winds will be in the 10 to 20 mph range, with stronger speeds across the highest peaks this morning. Temperatures today will be in the upper 30’s at 8,000’ and the mid 20’s at 10,000’. A high pressure ridge will control the weather through the weekend, bringing clear skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. A cooler storm should affect the area around Monday.

The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. It’s sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly, and today, weather permitting; they will fly in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly and American Fork. For more info, call 742-2800.

We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)

I will update this advisory by 7:30 Saturday morning.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 24, 2005

December 24, 2005 - 7:06 am The avalanche danger is generally LOW today, with a MODERATE danger on steep, mid and upper elevation slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. If the snow surface heats up and gets sloppy later today, its time to get off steep, sunny slopes and move to a different cooler aspect.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs This morning, the cooler temperatures and time will have stabilized most of these new snow instabilities, and the lingering problem will be due to drifting from the persistent northwesterly winds. Like yesterday, backcountry travelers should carefully avoid wind drifted slopes and the steepest terrain. Yesterdays reported backcountry avalanche activity was of shallow, new snow soft slabs less than 10 deep, all above about 9,500. A careful ski cut released a 100 wide slide on the south face of Superior, and two naturals were reported from northeast facing slopes in the Claytons and 10,420 areas that were 100 and 150 wide. Slides that were triggered were fast moving, and carried some punch due to the dense nature of the snow. (upper snowpack profile) Under clear skies, temperatures are in the 20s this morning, and there has been a good hard freeze of the snow surface at all elevations. Winds are from the northwest, generally in the 5 to 15 mph range, with only the highest peaks having persistently stronger winds. As for turning and riding conditions, there is dense powder on upper elevation, shady slopes, and the key is to get up high and stay high. Other elevations and aspects have a desperate mix of supportable and breakable rain and sun crusts, which may get a bit friendlier as they soften later today.

High pressure over the state will bring clear skies, light winds and warm temperatures today. The northwest winds will decrease to less than 15 mph and temperatures will warm into the 30s, with a few high thin clouds floating by. Christmas Day will start out balmy, with increasing clouds and wind in the afternoon as the high pressure ridge starts to move east of the state. This will leave Utah open to a series of weak Pacific weather systems, with the best chances for snow late Monday and Thursday.

The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. Its sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff, Silver, Grizzly, and American Fork, and today they will fly in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, White Pine and Cascade. For more info, call 742-2800.

We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)

Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 Christmas morning.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 28, 2005

December 28, 2005 - 6:54 am   The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes with fresh drifts of wind blown snow. As the wind drifts become more widespread and deeper today, the avalanche danger will increase. On wind sheltered slopes, the avalanche danger is generally LOW.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs In the more wind exposed terrain, new wind drifts will be forming, and may become more sensitive throughout the day as they deepen. With fresh wind drifts, always consider them guilty until proven innocent, and avoid any steep slope with fresh deposits of wind blown snow.

The avalanche danger may rise faster on steep, wind drifted slopes in the Provo and Ogden mountains because of the buried rain crust (another cool photo) beneath the snow.

Yesterday, the snow was surprisingly stable, and the only avalanche activity reported from the backcountry was minor sluffing on the steepest slopes. Today, expect similar conditions in wind sheltered areas.

Skies are mostly cloudy this morning, and temperatures have warmed into the upper 20s to low 30s ahead of an approaching storm. A trace of snow or rain fell overnight, with the rain/snow line currently about 7,500. The westerly winds are picking up across the ridges, averaging about 15 mph with gusts in the 30s. As usual, the wind speeds are significantly stronger across the highest peaks. Yesterday was one of those So much powder, so little time days. This morning, turning and riding conditions should still be good in dense powder on mid and upper elevation, wind sheltered slopes. But the snow quality will deteriorate throughout the day with warming temperatures, strong winds and the snow/rain line rising to near 9,000.

An approaching cold front will reach northern Utah around midnight.   Ahead of the front, skies will be mostly cloudy today, with occasional snow and rain showers. Temperatures will warm to near 40 at 8,000 and into the mid 30s at 10,000. Winds will shift to the southwest and increase into the 25 to 35 mph range. Snow will begin in earnest tonight, with the snow/rain line dropping to near the valley floor. A cold, moist northwest flow will keep snow showers going through Thursday, and storm totals of 9 to 16 are possible. High pressure will briefly return for Friday, with another storm approaching Friday night.

The beacon locator park at Snowbird is now open and free to the public. Its sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and Snowbird and located just off the bypass road in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff, Days, Grizzly, American Fork and Cascade Ridge. If they can fly today, theyll be in Cardiff, Mineral, Days, Silver, Grizzly, American Fork, and Cascade. For more info, call 742-2800.

We appreciate any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

The annual report for 2004-05 is now on the web. (Click HERE, 8mb)

I will update this advisory by 7:30 Thursday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 29, 2005

December 29, 2005 - 8:07 am The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on steep, wind drifted slopes this morning, above about 8,000’. Human triggered slides are probable, and a few natural avalanches possible. Other steep slopes have a MODERATE danger. On wind sheltered slopes, less steep than about 35 degrees, the avalanche danger is generally LOW.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs Today, wind drifts of new snow will be the main avalanche concern. Strong winds at both mid and high elevations are blowing and drifting the snow, and these new wind drifts will be easy for a person to trigger on a steep slope. Expect drifts and slabs of snow along ridges, but also mid slope, well off the ridgelines, around terrain features, below cliff bands and at steep break overs. The drifts will be most sensitive this morning, during the period of heaviest precipitation, and should start to stabilize this afternoon once the snow and winds taper off. On lower angle slopes and out of the wind, the new snow should bond well to the old, warm snow surface.

The snow at the lower elevations may take some time to cool off and freeze, so watch out for wet, sloppy snow low down, and avoid terrain traps such as gullies.

Yesterday, the avalanche news was mostly of damp activity in the form of roller balls and loose sluffs, with one 50’ wide new snow slide triggered with a cornice drop, in east facing Alexander. In the Ogden area mountains, explosive control work and cornice drops triggered 12 to 18” soft slabs along the heavily wind loaded ridges.

Ogden snow profile

Soggy conditions ruled the range yesterday, with warm temperatures and light rain to near 10,000’ late afternoon. The cold air finally arrived around 11 pm, dropping snow levels to below 6,500’. Most areas are reporting moderate snow this morning containing lots of graupel, or pellet snow, and snow totals are in the 2 to 6” range. The winds have been strong throughout the night, and are currently from the northwest, averaging 15 to 25 mph with gusts into the 40’s, both along the ridgelines and well down into the valley bottoms. The combination of winds and snow are creating blizzard-like conditions at some locations this morning. The Logan area mountains to the north have received significantly more water weight and snow.

Turning and riding conditions are rapidly improving this morning, as the layer of dense snow continues to build. Your best bet will be a favorite wind sheltered slope, above about 8,500’, facing the north half of the compass.

The unstable northwest flow behind the exiting trough should keep light to moderate snow falling through about noon. 2 to 6” additional snow is possible. The strong, northwesterly winds should start to decrease by noon. Temperatures are on a downward trend today, and will drop into the mid teens at 10,000’ and remain in the low 20’s at 8,000’. A brief break in the weather is in store for tonight through Friday morning before the next system impacts the area, bringing snow on a southwest to westerly flow.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff and the Sessions. If they can fly today, they’ll be in Cardiff, Mineral, Days, Silver, Grizzly, American Fork, and Cascade. For more info, call 742-2800.

1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 Friday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 30, 2005

December 30, 2005 - 7:25 am Today there is a mostly LOW avalanche danger in the Ogden, Provo, and Salt Lake mountains this morning. You may find a few areas in the Cottonwoods along the upper ridgelines with wind drifted snow where the danger is MODERATE but this is pockety. It is important to keep in mind that the avalanche danger will be on the rise and may reach MODERATE in many areas by this afternoon. The avalanche danger will be higher through the weekend.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs For today I would still watch for a few wind slabs along the upper elevation ridgelines. It appears that these won’t be much of a problem but don’t let them surprise you if you are in steeper, exposed terrain.

The main thing to keep in mind for today and more importantly through the weekend is that the avalanche danger is going to be on the rise with a moist and windy storm predicted. The new snow probably won’t add up enough during the day today to change conditions a whole lot but by Saturday morning we could see up to a foot of new snow which will be accompanied by fairly strong ridgetop winds that could form sensitive fresh wind slabs.

No significant activity from Thursday

3 to 6 inches of snow fell early Thursday morning throughout the Wasatch, a lot of this contained graupel. Most people in the backcountry were not finding sensitive wind slabs and were riding steep terrain with quite a bit of confidence. The new snow was somewhat prone to sluffing on the surface with just a few small slabs under cliff bands where the graupel had rolled downhill and pooled. Current ridgetop temperatures are in the upper teens and ridgetop wind speeds are around 10 mph from the west.

Ridgetop winds will be from a westerly direction in the 15 mph range increasing through out the day. This morning’s cooler ridgetop temperatures will be on the rise through the day and will be into the mid to upper 20s this afternoon. A warm front will bring snow which will start this afternoon and should really get underway late this afternoon and evening. Snow levels will rise to around 8000’ by Saturday morning. Confidence is good that we may see up to a foot of snow overnight but warm fronts are tricky in my book.

Warm air advection continues through Saturday bringing more snow accompanied by strong southwest winds.

The flow shifts to the northwest for a short period early Sunday morning with snow tapering off by noon. Weather models show up to 2 inches of water with this snow which could translate into upwards of 20 inches total snowfall by Sunday. Stay tuned.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly and if they can fly today, they’ll be in Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, White Pine, American Fork, the Cascade ridgeline, and Lambs Canyon. For more info, call 742-2800.

1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

I will update this advisory by 7:30 Saturday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Dec 31, 2005

December 31, 2005 - 7:07 am The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE especially in the upper elevation terrain where you will find fresh drifts of wind blown snow. The danger will be on the rise today and into Sunday. It is no time to be screwing around in the backcountry if you dont have the proper skills.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs Its going to be a warm, wet, windy mess up in the mountains today with an increasing avalanche danger.

Yesterday, some natural avalanche activity in the form of sluffing and shallow soft slabs was a common theme from backcountry observers. This was during and intense period of snowfall in the afternoon. A few people also found a fresh wind slab or two that would pull out from ski cuts up to 18 deep. None of these produced significant avalanches. The natural activity from yesterday may have settled out by now but this is unconfirmed at this point. There are also a few weaknesses in the upper portion of the snowpack especially above 9,000 not to mention varied crusts at all elevations which could make for a good sliding surface. Add more snowfall today and tonight along with continued strong winds and I think you might get the picture. Theres also a possibility of wet activity at the lower elevations. Do you need any more indicators to tell you to pay attention and be careful out there today? How about deeper buried weak layers in shallow snowpack areas that may become overloaded before its all said and done?

See above. The warm front cooperated with yesterdays forecast nicely this time bringing around 10 or better of new snow that contained 1 to 1 ½ inches of water throughout the range. The snow was slightly inverted by late in the day. Temperatures have been on the rise and are currently around 30 degrees at 9,000. The forecasted winds also verified and have been blowing along the ridges in the 20 to 30 mph range from the southwest. Along the highest elevations the winds are in the 30 to 40 mph range with gusts into the 60s with the highest gust recorded at 76 mph.

Warm and windy conditions will continue today with a period of steady snow this morning turning showery this afternoon. Temperatures at 10,000 are going to be near freezing. The rain/snow line will be up around 8,500. Ridgetop winds will be in the 30 mph range from the southwest and increasing during the day. 3 to 6 of wet heavy snow is possible during the day.

The cold front will arrive late this evening with winds shifting to the northwest. An additional 12 or better would not be out of the question. At least another inch of water weight will be added to the snowpack by Sunday bring totals to well over 2 inches of water. Things calm down for Sunday afternoon but the storm for Monday is still looking very impressive.

Regional Snow Profile(this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts .

UDOT closed Little Cottonwood Canyon for avalanche control work at 6 am. Call 801-975-4838 for further information.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly and will be grounded again today. For more info, call 742-2800.

1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

Drew Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 Sunday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Jan 3, 2006

January 3, 2006 - 9:45 am The avalanche danger is HIGH today especially in upper elevation wind loaded terrain. Human triggered avalanches have the potential to be very large and unsurvivable. With these large avalanches likely, you need to stay out of runout zones as these slides could travel thousands of feet in elevation. People without excellent avalanche and route finding skills are urged to stay out of the high country today.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs All the indicators should be obvious. Upper elevations have had around 7 feet of snow containing around 7 inches or better of water since Thursday, December 29th. Strong winds have transported a lot of this snow into very large drifts which have been active over the last few days producing very large and deadly avalanches. (Photos from Sunday) An intense period of snow along with significant winds currently happening at many mountain locations is making the avalanche danger increase. Every snow safety worker I’ve talked to is gearing up for another active day and no backcountry traveler I know wants anything to do with toying around in upper elevation wind loaded terrain. Partial clearing today will entice some people into steeper terrain but wise people who want to be in the mountains for the long haul are giving the snowpack some time to stabilize. You’ll be able to get on to steeper terrain soon enough, its best not to push it today.

Monday was another active day with human triggered, explosive triggered, and natural avalanches. At least one report of natural activity from near Brighton included a fracture line 6 feet deep. A skier in Days fork was able to trigger two avalanches breaking 1 to 2 feet deep. Snow safety teams at the ski resorts and highways all had their hands full with lots of avalanche activity, some of which was significant.

One more period of intense snow this morning will keep the avalanche danger on the rise at least for a few more hours. Many of our remote weather stations are currently down but it appears that temperatures are cooling in the mountains with ridgetop temperatures down into the mid to low 20s. Ridgetop winds slowed down a bit from yesterday but are still blowing in the 20 to 30 mph range from the west.

The period of intense snow will taper off this morning after putting down an additional 4 to 6 inches. Ridgetop winds will be in the 20 to 30 mph range from the west and decreasing as the day goes on. Ridgetop temperatures will continue to drop and will bottom out in the upper teens to low twenties. Another small storm is now scheduled for tonight and into Wednesday which will push the short period of high pressure off for a day. This next storm won’t bring significant snowfall.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts.

UDOT will be doing avalanche control work in Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood and Provo Canyon today. There will be intermittent road closures in all Canyons and restrictions to ice climbing in Provo Canyon. People need to stay out of terrain near Kessler, Argenta and Stairs Gulch. Little Cottonwood is currently closed.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides were grounded due to bad weater. If they can get out today, they’ll be in Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly and American Fork. For more info, call 742-2800.

Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

We will update this advisory by 7:30 Wednsday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Jan 4, 2006

January 4, 2006 - 7:11 am The overall avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, above about 9,000’ especially on slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow and in shallow snowpack areas. The danger is MODERATE below 9,000’. Avalanches will be difficult to trigger but some of them may break down into deeper weak layers making very large and dangerous avalanches.Forecaster: Bruce Tremper

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs Some of the ski resorts and highway control operations yesterday produced some deep releases on faceted snow deeper in the snowpack an on old ice crusts. These deeper instabilities will take longer to settle out, so the problem may linger today. It’s one of those times where it’s difficult to trigger an avalanche but if you do, it could step down and create a very large and most likely unsurvivable avalanche. The problem areas for these deep releases include shallow snowpack areas and also slopes that have received significant wind loading during the past storm.

24 Hrs The second problem is wind slabs left over from the wind and snow yesterday morning. I suspect that because the new snow is so dense and warm that most of the instabilities within the new snow will have settled out by this morning. But there may be a few lingering, especially at higher elevations and some of these may step down into deeper weak layers. Although there was not a lot of activity yesterday in the backcountry, explosive control yesterday morning at ski areas and highways produced some widespread activity in the new snow with a few going deep and wide into old snow. Some of these were 5 feet deep and 400 feet wide and ran on faceted snow near the ground. (Click here for Photos) The deep releases occurred on all different aspects and in all parts of the Wasatch Range but were mainly at or above about 10,000’ in elevation and down to 9,000' in the Ogden area mountains. Light snow is falling this morning and we expect only a couple inches accumulation. Ridge top temperatures are in the 20’s and the winds are 15-20 mph from the south west. Snow surface conditions include creamy, dense snow that rides real nice with easy trail breaking.

We will get a few snow showers this morning as a weak short-wave passes by. It shouldn’t add up to more than a couple inches then we should be left with some lingering clouds for the rest of today. Ridge top winds should be 15-20 mph from the northwest today with ridge top temperatures in the mid teens. Down at 8,000’ the high today should be in the mid 20’s. Then we should have clear skies and much warmer for Thursday and Friday with a fast-moving storm for Saturday and a colder and wetter storm for about Sunday and wet again a week from today.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Backcountry travelers should avoid the private land in McDonold Draw area along the Park City ridgeline this afternoon as they will be sighting in their avalanche control guns.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides were grounded due to bad weater. If they can get out today, they’ll be in Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly and American Fork. For more info, call 742-2800.

Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Thursday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

Utah Avalanche Center · Jan 5, 2006

January 5, 2006 - 7:11 am The avalanche danger is MODERATE today on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, above about 9,000. There are isolated places where a person could trigger a deep, dangerous slide, on west through north through east facing slopes. Avoid traditionally shallow snow pack areas, especially those that were heavily wind loaded during the last storm. The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE on steep sunny slopes with day time heating. The danger is generally LOW below about 9,000 (8,500 in the Ogden area mountains) and on slopes less steep than about 35 degrees.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Glossary 24 Hrs Explosive control work yesterday pulled out yet another big one on the Park City side in uncompacted terrain 3 to 6 deep, 600 wide, running on an ice crust. This was on a heavily wind loaded, easterly facing slope at 9,500. With better visibility, there were also more reports of deep natural and explosive triggered slides that ran during the Monday/Tuesday time frame. This puts us back to the same old problem there are only isolated places where the weight of a person could trigger one of these deeper slides, but if you do, youre toast.

It is also still possible to trigger a shallower, new snow slide, especially in wind drifted areas. An intentional cornice drop in Alexander yesterday triggered a 100 wide by 18 deep slide. There is the scary potential for the weight of one of these smaller new snow slides to step down and trigger a deeper slide.

10 Hrs I also expect some wet snow activity today on steep sunny slopes due to the rapidly warming temperatures and direct sun. As the snow heats up, stay off of and out from under steep sunny slopes, especially avoiding terrain traps such as gullies.

See above. High pressure is in command this morning, and under clear skies temperatures have warmed to near 20 degrees at many ridgeline locations. Winds are steadily decreasing, and generally less than 15 mph from a northwesterly direction. Turning and riding conditions are very good on all aspects this morning in creamy powder, with easy trail breaking. As the day progresses, the sun and warm temperatures will dampen the snow on the steep sunny slopes.

High pressure will dominate the weather through Friday. This will bring clear skies and a strong warming trend today, with 10,000 temperatures climbing into the mid 30s, and 8,000 temperatures into the mid 40s. The northwesterly winds will remain generally less than 15 mph. It will be a copy cat day tomorrow, but with temperatures another 5 degrees warmer. The ridge will give way for the weekend, with the best chance for snow Sunday into Sunday night.

Regional Snow Profile (this profile can also be found daily off our home page under avalanche products)

Click here for Seasonal Weather History Charts.

Yesterday, Wasatch Powderbird Guides were grounded due to bad weather. Today, they will be in Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly and American Fork. For more info, call 742-2800.

Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions you observe. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org) or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. (You must re-sign up this season even if you were on the list last season.)

UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Little Cottonwood road, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838.

I will update this advisory by 7:30 Friday morning. Thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with:
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.

The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.

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