avalanche advisory

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March 28, 2006 - 6:41 am   There is a MODERATE danger today mainly due to possible wet activity below around 8,000 feet.  Steep slopes and terrain traps should be avoided at these locations.  Watch upper elevation southerly slopes as well if we see any periods of clearing during the day.  Also, you will need to watch for some fresh drifts on northerly facing aspects along the upper ridgelines.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 8 Hrs Wet activity at lower elevations will be the main concern today.  With warm overnight temperatures only a moderate refreeze will have occurred.  Terrain below about 8,000 feet must be approached cautiously.  Stay out of terrain traps and out from under steep avalanche paths at these elevations. 

24 Hrs While the dense snow on the surface is not very prone to drifting, southerly winds will transport some snow today. (Photo-transport from Monday)  This means you should watch for minor wind drifts at the higher elevation north facing slopes.

No significant avalanche activity was observed on Monday.  An expected natural wet avalanche cycle did not come to fruition as mid-day cloud cover and moderate ridgetop winds kept temperatures in check which did not allow the snow to do much more then become somewhat damp.  (Click here for more observations & photos from Monday)

Temperatures remained fairly warm overnight with most 8,000 foot locations staying in the mid 30s and 10,000 foot temperatures in the mid to upper 20s.  Southerly ridgetop winds continue to blow in the moderate category with average speeds in the 15 to 20 mph range gusting into the 30s with gusts into the 40s at the highest locations.  Moisture that is being fed into the area in a southerly flow is currently producing light snow at some mountain locations.

A winter storm is still scheduled to affect us today through Wednesday.  Today we’ll see periods of snow with southerly winds in the 20 mph range increasing later this afternoon.  Ridgetop temperatures will be in the upper 20s and near 40 at 8,000 feet.  Rain may be mixed with snow up to around 8,000’.  More intense snow will start late this afternoon and continue through Wednesday.  The storm could produce one to two inches of water which translates to 12 to 20 inches of snow by Wednesday night.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Wednesday 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.
 


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March 29, 2006 - 7:07 am   I have issued an avalanche warning for the mountains of northern, central and southwestern Utah.  The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees at all elevations, both the rain saturated mid and low elevations and the wind drifted upper elevations.  The avalanche danger may increase to HIGH on upper elevation, wind drifted slopes later today with additional snow and wind.  Careful route finding, conservative decisions, and good travel habits are mandatory today.  Stay on low angle terrain, and avoid travel in avalanche run out areas. 

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs Above about 7,500’, the avalanche danger increases with elevation, due to higher snow amounts and more wind.   Expect easily triggered new wind drifts along ridgelines and on steep slopes.  While slopes facing the north half of the compass will have the most widespread wind drifts, watch for cross loading on a variety of slope aspects and elevations.  Drifts will be around terrain features such as sub ridges, gully walls, and breakovers.  There is a concern that slides can break into deeper weak layers that exist near the recent crusts, resulting in a deeper, wider slide. 

10 Hrs At the lower elevations, below about 7,500’, substantial rain has fallen on the snowpack in many locations, with the highest amounts Ogden area mountains.  Both natural and human triggered wet loose sluffs and slab avalanches are possible, with steep shady slopes facing northwest through east having the greatest danger.  Especially avoid terrain traps such as gullies, creek beds or flat benches below steep slopes, such as road cuts, where the snow from even a small slide can pile up deeply.

If you are heading into the backcountry today, you will need to tiptoe around a quite a variety of avalanche problems.  At the low and mid elevations, there will be wet snow avalanches, which transition to dry snow and wind drift troubles at the higher elevations. 

At the higher elevations, above about 9,000’, 24 hour snow totals are now 12 to 20” in the Cottonwoods and on the Park City side, with densities averaging over 10%.  Below about 7,500’, over an inch of rain has saturated the snowpack. The Ogden mountains have received substantial rain - 1 to 1½ inches - to about 7,500’, with snow above.  Rain has changed to snow at the mid elevation sites in the Provo mountains, with about 6” of snow, with 1” of total water weight reported.   Overnight, the winds have been from a southeasterly direction, in the 15 to 20 mph range with gusts in the 30’s.  Along the highest ridgelines and peaks, average speeds are close to 30, with gusts 40 to 60.

The storm system will continue to push a moist and unstable air mass through the area today.  An additional 6 to 12” of snow is likely today, with several more hours of heavy snowfall expected this morning.  There may be a short lived midday break in the precipitation, followed by more intense snowfall this afternoon as the cold upper low moves into and across the state.  Thunderstorms are possible throughout the day.  The strong, southwesterly winds will gradually shift to the west today and decrease.  Temperatures will be in the low 30’s at 8,000’ and slowly drop into the low 20’s at 10,000’.  Tonight, an additional 4 to 8” of snow is possible on a northwesterly flow, with wind speeds in the 15 to 25 mph range.  Lows will be in the mid to upper teens.  A break on Thursday, before the next storm starts to impact the area Friday afternoon.    

The Snowbasin Ski Patrol along with the Weber Country Sherriff Search and Rescue and the Utah Avalanche Center is doing a general presentation on avalanche safety and an open discussion about Forest Service Boundary policy and recent backcountry incidents.  It will be held on Wednesday, March 29 at 7pm at the Grandview Acres Clubhouse located at 3796 Quincy Avenue in Ogden.  Contact Snowbasin at 620-1000 for more info.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.Bruce Tremper 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.
 


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March 30, 2006 - 6:55 am   There is a continued CONSIDERABLE danger of human triggered avalanches on any steep slope with recent deposits of wind drifted snow, which you will find mostly along the upper elevation ridges. There is a MODERATE danger on non-wind drifted slopes.  The danger of damp to wet avalanches will also rise to CONSIDERABLE on the steep, sun exposed slopes if the sun pokes through enough to heat make the snow damp or soggy.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs The widespread wind slabs from yesterday morning seemed to have settled out quite a bit during the day.  With up to 7 inches of new snow early last night, I expect that you will continue to find a few sensitive soft slabs today, mostly along the upper elevation ridges.  As always, you should avoid steep slopes with recent wind drifts. 

8 Hrs Yesterday, the strong spring sun poked through the clouds enough to create some damp snow on the sun exposed slopes.  Some of the lower elevation slopes sluffed out during the day, such as the Y-couloir in Little Cottonwood Canyon. (photos)

Yesterday morning control work at all the ski resorts produced a widespread cycle of sensitive, soft slab avalanches from the high precipitation rates overnight.  In the backcountry, most folks could find sensitive soft slabs along the upper elevation ridges where the wind had drifted it onto steep slopes.  (Photos) and (Profiles).  Most of the folks who were out in the backcountry yesterday were pretty cagy and no one got tangled up in any of these, as far as we know. Wow, it’s been quite a few days—actually quite a month.  March is historically the snowiest month of the year and this March has been one of the snowiest in memory.  The latest storm totaled over 30 inches in the high elevations of the Cottonwood Canyons and 20 inches in most other areas.  Snow continued late yesterday evening with 7 inches of 7 percent water weight snow through most of the Wasatch Range but there have just been light snow showers after midnight.  Ridge top temperatures have finally cooled down into the mid teens and the ridge top winds are 10-20 from the northwest with 20-30 on the highest, most exposed peaks.

Today will be a rest day before we get yet another storm for the weekend and then another larger storm for Monday through Thursday.  The legendary winter continues….  Today, we should have enough lingering, low level moisture to keep some clouds, fog and perhaps a few snowflakes this morning.  Daytime heating will kick up some shallow convective cells.  Still I think the strong spring sun will shine through the clouds at times and get progressively more sunny and warm as the day progresses.  Ridge top temperatures will start out in the mid teens this morning and warm to the mid 20’s by afternoon.  Ridge top winds will blow 20 mph from the northwest this morning but drop to around 10 mph by afternoon.  Down at 8,000’ the day time high will get up into the mid 30’s.  Tonight, we should have some high clouds.  On Friday, the high clouds will lower throughout the day and ridge top winds will pick up and blow hard from the southwest on Friday night with a quick-hitting storm for Saturday and early Sunday.For the extended forecast, we have another storm that looks remarkably like the last one for Monday through about Wednesday.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.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.
 


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April 1, 2006 - 7:04 am   The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning on mid and upper elevation slopes steeper than 35 degrees, especially with recent drifts of wind blown snow.  The avalanche danger may rise to CONSIDERABLE on steep, wind drifted slopes this afternoon with the arrival of the cold front, especially if you’re in an area of heavy snowfall combined with wind.  If the sun comes out for any significant period of time this morning, the danger of wet loose sluffs will rise to moderate on steep, sunny slopes.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 20 Hrs This morning, be alert for and avoid any new and old drifts of wind blown snow.  With two days of southerly winds, the drifts will be most widespread on slopes facing the north half of the compass and along the ridgelines.  But last night’s stronger winds will have also cross loaded snow mid slope in open bowls, at breakovers, along gully walls and sub ridges.  This afternoon, the avalanche danger will increase when the cold front arrives.  There is potential for a several hours of heavy snowfall, accompanied by moderate westerly winds.  So the danger of new snow avalanches could spike this afternoon, when it will become easy to trigger new snow sluffs and soft wind drifts, especially in the wind affected terrain.

Two late morning reports of backcountry avalanche activity included a second hand report that cornice kicking along the Cardiff ridgeline producing a couple slab avalanches on steep, northerly facing slopes, the largest 12 to 16” deep, and 150’ wide.  Another person was able to easily trigger wind slabs, 35 to 65’ wide, 8 to 14” deep, on steep upper elevation wind effected northerly facing slopes in the Claytons and Wolverine areas.  Those who carefully avoided wind affected terrain found the pattern of frequent small storms has allowed the new snow to stabilize.

Last night’s quick moving storm system dropped 4 to 6” of snow in the Cottonwoods and on the Park City side, with the Provo and Ogden area mountains receiving about 3” at the 7500’ level. Densities were about 9%.  Winds have remained from a southerly direction for the past several days, and overnight increased into the 20 to 30 mph range, with gusts in the 40’s and 50’s at the more exposed locations in the Park City, Ogden and Provo mountains.  Wind speeds are lower in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Temperatures are in the low 20’s at 10,000’ and in the low 30’s at 7,500’. The new snow fell on a wide variety of old snow surfaces, including breakable sun and wind crusts and dense powder on wind sheltered, shady slopes. 

A cold front will move through the area this afternoon into this evening.  This morning, skies will be partly cloudy, with temperatures in the low 30’s at 8,000’ and the low 20’s at 10,000’.  The southwesterly winds will generally be in the 15 to 25 mph range, with strong gusts across the most exposed peaks and ridgelines.  With the arrival of the front, lightning is possible, and snow will be heavy at times, with accumulations of 4 to 8” expected.  Winds will shift to the west, and temperatures will cool into the mid teens at 10,000’.  Snow should end by midnight, with a break in the action on Sunday and Monday.  A stronger and colder Pacific storm will impact the state Tuesday and Wednesday.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.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.
 


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April 4, 2006 - 7:08 am   Things are complex with many different problems we need to watch for.  The avalanche danger starts out MODERATE and will be on the rise during the day and will most likely reach CONSIDERABLE.  Avalanche activity due to heating is the main concern but stay off of large cornices and watch for possible avalanche activity within the most recent layer of snow on high elevation northerly aspects.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 8 Hrs Our main concern today is going to be avalanche activity related to daytime heating.  Expected rain up to 9000 feet won’t help matters either.  Wet avalanche activity is tricky because it does not always occur when the warning signs are there.  Keep in mind however that you will look foolish if you are caught and you new that temperatures had been in the red light range even though you may not have seen any avalanche activity. 

24 Hrs You should continue to avoid large cornices today as the warming temperatures will help to weaken the already sensitive beasts.  Also, I was still able to get clean shears during snow stability tests yesterday which indicates there is still some weakness from the last storm.  You may find some pockets on high elevation northerly aspects that still could pull out under the weight of a person.

I am sad to report that the third avalanche fatality in Utah this winter occurred near Pioneer Peak in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Monday.  Two snowboarders left the Brighton ski resort and were walking up a ridge when a cornice broke underneath one of them.  The cornice then released an avalanche that carried the snowboarder over some cliffs.  He was buried under about 1 ½ feet of snow.  He was not wearing an avalanche transceiver but the Brighton ski patrol located him from one of his hands sticking out of the debris.  (Click here for an accident report and photos)

Another very large cornice cracked under the weight of a skier on top of Square Top near the Canyons ski resort on Monday as well.  Only a small portion of it released and the skier was not caught.  (PHOTO)

Also, a natural loose wet slide triggered a larger soft slab avalanche near Elk Point on Monday.  It was 2 to 4 feet deep and ran around 2000 feet.  (PHOTO)

(Click here for more details on all these slides)

(Click here for more photos of avalanche activity from over the weekend, thanks to Bob Athey)

Mountain temperatures remained warm overnight with many 10,000 foot locations above freezing.  Light rain is occurring at some mountain locations.  Ridgetop winds are from the south in the 10 to 20 mph range.

A winter storm is still on the way.  Today we’ll see periods of rain up to around 9,000 feet.  Temperatures at 8000 feet will be in the upper 40s and in the 30s at 10,000 feet.  Winds will increase into the strong range from the southwest as the day goes on.  We may see a little clearing this afternoon.  The bulk of the storm will be Wednesday into Thursday with snow levels dropping to near the valley floor.  2 to 3 inches of water equivalent is possible which could produce upwards of 2 feet of snow in some locations.

Extreme skiing pioneer Doug Coombs died in an avalanche in France on Monday.  Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 Wednesday 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.
 
April 5, 2006 - 7:06 am   The avalanche danger is MODERATE today on all slopes steeper than about 35 degrees.  Due to a prolonged warming trend, human triggered wet sluffs and slab avalanches are possible, especially on any slope that receives significant rain today.  The danger of new snow slides will increase to MODERATE on steep slopes later today as the snow piles up, especially on any wind drifted slopes.  With 1 to 2 feet of new snow and moderate winds forecast, the avalanche danger will increase tonight and tomorrow.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 12 Hrs Today, it continues to be possible to trigger wet loose sluffs on almost any steep slopes in the range.  As these sluffs move down hill, they have the potential to trigger shallow wet slabs or to gouge down, entraining more snow and resulting in deep debris piles.  Rounding out the encyclopedia of wet snow problems, is the potential for glide avalanches and for sensitive cornices to break back much further than expected.  These avalanche problems will be most widespread in terrain that has had above freezing temperatures for 72 hours, including the Odgen area mountains and many of elevations below about 8,500’.  The ability to trigger wet slides will also increase on any slope that receives a significant period of rain today.  Even after temperatures cool this afternoon, the wet snow will take at least an additional day to cool and strengthen. 24 Hrs The cold front should finally arrive around midday, with the snow level dropping to 6 or 7,000’.  As the new snow builds up, the strong southwesterly winds will quickly form new drifts that will be sensitive to the weight of a person on a steep slope.  It will be a different landscape tomorrow, with more widespread new snow and windslab avalanche problems. 

Yesterday, there were the expected reports of wet sluffs and a few shallow wet slabs.  It’s another warm and windy morning, with above freezing temperatures at almost every mountain station and temperatures in the balmy 40’s at the 8,500’ level.  The brisk, southerly winds continue to average 20 to 30 mph along the ridges, with gusts into the 40’s.  The snow surface is almost universally warm and damp, with the only dry snow to be found above about 10,500’, on northerly facing slopes.  On many slopes below about 9,000’, the snow is punchy and unsupportable.

The overdue storm continues to creep through Nevada, and the cold front should finally reach the northern mountains by early afternoon.  This morning, a few rain showers are possible, with temperatures in the 40’s at 8,000’ and the 30’s at 10,000’.  Once the cold front arrives, expect a modest burst of precipitation, accompanies by thunder and lightning.  3 to 6” of new snow is possible by 5 pm.  Winds will continue in the 20 to 30 mph range from the south, then southwest, with very strong gusts possible this afternoon.  Heavier precipitation on a moist westerly flow will develop tonight and continue through Thursday, with storm totals of 1 to 2’ to the mountains by tomorrow afternoon.  

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.Click here to check out our new online avalanche encyclopedia.Click HERE for a text only version of the avalanche advisory.To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Provo canyons, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838. The Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly on Tuesday and won’t fly today.  For more info, call 742-2800.Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions.  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.Bruce Tremper 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.
 
April 6, 2006 - 7:01 am   New snow and wind will cause the avalanche danger to rise rapidly today from LOW danger this morning to CONSIDERABLE danger later in the day on any steep slope with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.  There will be a MODERATE danger on non-wind drifted slopes.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 6 Hrs We expect 8-12 inches of new snow today with strong winds from the northwest.  This will almost certainly create some widespread, sensitive wind slabs on any steep, wind drifted slope.  The snow will be dense.  The slabs will pack a punch and could easily tangle you up and drag you down the hill.  As always, you should avoid all steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow 6 Hrs Down out of the wind, I expect that the new snow will bond fairly well to the pre-existing, wet snow surface, but as always, there may be density inversions within the new snow and you should test for these by jumping on test slopes, doing slope cuts and pulling on blocks that you cut out with your hand. If an avalanche falls in the mountains and there’s no one there to see it, is it still an avalanche?  Yesterday was a good day to find out because the only people wandering around in the backcountry were paid to be there—and not enough, I might add.  Nevertheless, it appeared that very few avalanches occurred yesterday, just a little cracking of new wind slabs along the exposed ridges (PHOTOS). After a couple days of crying wolf, the big low pressure system is finally, finally starting to kick in.  Overnight, the Cottonwood Canyons got 4-5 inches of snow, which is a dense 12 percent water at 8,000’ and around 10 percent above 10,000’.  Temperatures have finally dropped to the mid 20’s.  Yesterday morning ranked high in the annals of suffering and misery with soggy, gloppy snow mixed with breakable crust, light rain and gloomy clouds but hey, at least you had the pleasure of dodging lightning bolts along with high winds and squalls of graupel that would sting your face.  Inexplicably, the backcountry seemed deserted.  In the afternoon, about 3-4 inches of dense snow fell at higher elevations with rain below about 8,000’.

As moisture wraps around the top of the low pressure center, we should have snow impact northern Utah from the northwest.  The storm should pile up around 8 inches of new snow today in most areas and as much as a foot in some locations.  The rain-snow line should be around 6,000’.  Ridge top winds will pick up and blow around 30 mph from the northwest with gusts to around 50.  Ridge top temperatures will remain around 20 degrees today and be around 30 degrees down at 8,000’.  Tonight, we should have some lingering snow showers with perhaps 3-4 more inches accumulation and the winds should die down.Friday, the skies should clear and temperatures will warm up to near freezing, which should give us a round of wet sluffs on Friday.  Then, the weekend looks warm with high clouds and we should have another weaker storm on Monday and Tuesday.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.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.
 
April 7, 2006 - 7:02 am   The avalanche danger starts out CONSIDERABLE today and may rise to HIGH if temperatures do warm significantly.  While the frequency of avalanching may not be that great, both avalanching in fresh wind drifts and avalanches caused by daytime heating have the potential to be huge.  Many of the out of bounds areas adjacent to the ski resorts have some of the most suspect avalanche terrain and conditions.  Think twice before leaving the ski area today.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs The wind slabs that formed yesterday will still be a concern today.  While they won’t be as “hair trigger” as yesterday, they do have the potential to be very dangerous.  With two feet of new snow from yesterday, drifts could be over four feet deep or more in places.  This is certainly nothing you want to screw around with.  Different from last weekend’s storm, many of these slabs may be past the point of being manageable with slope cuts.

8 Hrs Warming temperatures today have the potential to dramatically weaken the newest snow.  This large amount of snow will be sensitive to warming.  As the day progresses stay out from under any avalanche paths which means steep slopes above you.  If avalanches start releasing due to daytime heating they have the potential to be large and destructive. 

The mountains of northern Utah received over 2 feet of medium density snow and over 3 inches of water weight in many high elevation locations.  Even areas that usually shut off on a northwest flow like Mt Ogden and Mt Timpanogus continued to get hammered on during the day on Thursday.  Winds drifted snow and produced numerous sensitive layers within the new snow.  Everyone that was in the backcountry reported widespread cracking at all elevations.  All my partner and I had to do was look at a steep wind loaded slope to make it avalanche.  We triggered an avalanche that broke out 150 to 200 feet wide from a distance of over 200 feet away.  It ran over 1000 feet vertical distance.  Skiers in Dutch’s Draw released a slide up to 20 inches deep from a ski cut.  No one was caught.  A natural avalanche that hit the Little Cottonwood canyon highway pushed a vehicle off of the road.  Everyone involved is OK.  You should not feel at ease around any steep slopes today and big time concentration needs to be applied to all decision making.

I’m going to keep it simple today and stick to the facts.  An avalanche warning remains in effect for the mountains of northern Utah through 6 pm today.  Heavy snowfall along with strong winds created unstable conditions in the backcountry.  Warming temperatures today will add to the unstable conditions.  People without excellent route finding and avalanche assessment skills are urged to stay out of the backcountry today.

UDOT will be conducting avalanche control work in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons this morning.

Wind speeds have dropped off and the storm is exiting the area.  Skies are cloudy and temperatures along the ridges are in the low 20s and in the upper 20s at 8,000’.

The air mass warms substantially today.  Cloud cover will be the wild card with a gradual clearing expected.  8,000 foot temperatures will rise into the 40s with 10,000 temperatures into the 30s and possibly warmer with clearing skies.  Winds will be light from the northwest. 

Any snow safety workers with visions of an afternoon barbeque at the upper patrol shacks may want to hold off on that thought for a while as storms are still forecast to affect the area through next week with a small one starting Saturday morning.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.Click here to check out our new online avalanche encyclopedia.Click HERE for a text only version of the avalanche advisory.To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Provo canyons, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838. The Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly yesterday and I’ve received no information from them today but I’d expect them to be performing bombing missions for UDOT and my guess would be they’ll go for Cardiff, Days, Silver, etc.  For more info, call 742-2800.   Special announcement:

The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is authorizing Wasatch Powderbird Guides to operate within established golden eagle mitigation buffers to aid research biologists collecting data to evaluate the effects of heli-skiing operations on nesting golden eagles in the Tri Canyon Area. This authorization is under permit from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and will be in effect through 30 April 2006.  For further information please contract Steve Scheid at the Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2689.Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions.  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.Evelyn Lees 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.
 
April 8, 2006 - 7:10 am   The avalanche danger today is MODERATE on upper elevation slopes, steeper than about 35 degrees, especially the north and easterly facing slopes and those with fresh drifts of wind blown snow.  The avalanche danger will rapidly rise to MODERATE on all steep slopes with daytime heating, with human triggered wet sluffs possible.  If the sun comes out and the winds decrease at the same time, the danger may rise to considerable for wet, loose slides.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 10 Hrs The most widespread problem today will be wet snow activity.  Carefully watch the balance between the sun, thin clouds, wind and temperatures.  The snow will definitely get warm enough for people to trigger wet loose sluffs on steep slopes, including northerly facing slopes.  But if the sun comes out and the winds drop off at the same time, there is the potential for spontaneous wet slides to occur on all aspects.  Any of these wet slides could entrain snow, resulting in big debris piles, and will be most dangerous where confined to gullies and other terrain traps.

24 Hrs For today, I think most of the storm snow instabilities will have settled out and strengthened.   However, the current strong winds are creating a new batch of drifts at the mid and upper elevations that a person could trigger, which could then step down into storm snow for a much deeper slide.  So continue to use caution when approaching any slope of about 35 degrees or steeper.  Cornices are huge and ready to break in some areas, so stay well back from the corniced ridge line edges.

Yesterday, avalanche control work for the highways and ski resorts was a mixed bag - explosives produced many class 2 and class 3 avalanches, including runs in Stairs, Circle All, Coal Pit and White Pine Chute, but it must also be noted there were many shots in the backcountry with no results.  While explosives and air blasts were the most effective control methods, the snow was also sensitive to ski cuts, especially in the morning.  Heating yesterday resulted in several natural, wet loose sluffs.  Check out the photo galleries by Bob and Bruce.  

Under clear skies, temperatures are hovering right around freezing at the 9 and 10,000’ levels this morning. Winds are from a southerly direction, around 20 mph, with gusts in the 30’s to 50’s at the most exposed locations. The clear skies produced a good surface refreeze, so most slopes are crusted early this morning, but will rapidly become wet and sloppy with daytime heating. While there is still some dry snow in the upper elevation, northerly facing terrain, the snow on many slopes was sculpted into a checkerboard of wind drifts during the storm.

A weak dry storm will bring variable cloudiness to the area today and tonight. Temperatures will be in the upper 40’s at 8,000’ and in the mid 30’s at 10,000’. The southerly winds, which are strong across the highest peaks this morning, will gradually decrease this afternoon, to less than 20 mph. Partly cloudy skies and even warmer Sunday and Sunday night. Then a stronger cold front will bring snow on Monday, with 5 to 10” possible. A series of disturbances will continue to affect northern Utah through the rest of the week.

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.Click here to check out our new online avalanche encyclopedia.Click HERE for a text only version of the avalanche advisory.To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Provo canyons, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838. The Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly yesterday and today if they can fly will be in Cardiff, Days, Silver, White Pine and American Fork.  For more info, call 742-2800.   Special announcement:

The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is authorizing Wasatch Powderbird Guides to operate within established golden eagle mitigation buffers to aid research biologists collecting data to evaluate the effects of heli-skiing operations on nesting golden eagles in the Tri Canyon Area. This authorization is under permit from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and will be in effect through 30 April 2006.  For further information please contract Steve Scheid at the Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2689.Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions.  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.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.
 
April 10, 2006 - 6:19 am   The avalanche danger for wet sluffs and slabs today will remain at MODERATE at the mid and low elevations.  Give wide berth to weakening cornices and expanding glide cracks.

Hardesty

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs The saturated snow at the lower elevation sorely needs some cooler temps to lock up and gain strength through the diurnal melt freeze process.  Exercise caution if traveling through mid and low elevation slopes that are becoming unsupportable. 

24 Hrs The strong southerly winds may have cross-loaded a pocket or two up high warranting some caution in the more extreme terrain.  The new snow should bond quite well to the old snow surfaces, but if we get more than expected, be alert to some sluffing and changing conditions.

Wet activity followed the standard pattern yesterday with point releases and wet ‘push-alanches’ increasing with daytime heating. In lower Deer Creek near Box Elder, a snowmachiner got a collapse and fracture of a saturated wet slab on a southeast facing slope.

Skies are partly to mostly cloudy ahead of the next weak two pronged storm. Overnight lows again remained warm with the freezing line at around 9500’. Moderate to strong south to southwesterly winds and radiational cooling will drop a superficial refreeze down to about 8000’, but expect breakable crust and then mank with any heating. The only dry snow can be found on high north above 10,000’.

Behind the cold front, 8000’ highs should only reach into the mid-40’s today with 10,000’ temps dropping to the low 20’s. The southwest winds will blow 20-30 mph this morning, only to lose steam as they veer to the west by midday. We’ll see 1-3” today and then another 2-4” tonight before we’re back into a warming trend. The longer range models bring a storm through Friday night with another one on Monday.

The second annual “Beacon and Eggs” contests are in full swing, with BIG prizes to the winners. The next big competition will be held next Saturday at Snowbird. For more information, go to http://www.snowbird.com/events/events/beaconandeggs.html

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.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.Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 Tuesday 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.
 
April 11, 2006 - 6:58 am   The avalanche danger is generally LOW today. But low danger doesn’t mean no danger – there is the possibility of unstable snow on isolate terrain features, especially at the warmer elevations below about 8,000’. Continue to use safe travel procedures, including traveling one at a time on steep slopes, to minimize any risk.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs Today’s cooler temperatures are just what are needed to give the wet snow time to strengthen, but there is always a lag between air and snowpack temperatures. So there remains an isolated possibility of triggering any one of the litany of avalanche problems caused by wet snow or warm temperatures. These include damp sluffs, wet slabs, cornices, or the natural release a glide avalanche. So if you’re traveling on steep slopes, especially at the low and mid elevations, take the time to dig down, see how deep the refreeze is, and how wet any layers are beneath. If the sun pops out for any length of time this afternoon, the newest few inches of snow will rapidly heat and sluff easily on steep, sunny slopes.

The only snowpack activity reported from yesterday was a low elevation glide crack that opened on a northerly facing slope in Parleys Canyon.  A gentle spring storm is producing light snow in the mountains this morning, with a trace to 3” being reported. Temperatures have cooled to just below freezing at 7,000’ and into the mid 20’s at 10,000’. Winds are from a southwesterly direction, in the 5 to 15 mph range, with gusts in the 20’s and 30’s. Today’s dust on crust riding conditions will be good where the underlying crusts are supportable and on the high elevation northerly facing slopes, where the new snow has fallen on the last remnants of soft, dry powder. But it may not be so pleasant on slopes where the underlying crusts are breakable, including some of the off aspects and lower angle northerly facing slopes.

The slow moving disturbance will continue to produce snow showers and widely scattered thunderstorms this morning, with another 1 to 3” possible. Precipitation will gradually taper off this afternoon, though scattered rain and snow showers could continue through midnight. Average ridgetop wind speeds will remain in the 10 to 20 mph range, from the southwest. 8,000’ temperatures will reach the mid 30’s, and 10,000’ temperatures will be low to mid 20’s. Skies will clear late tonight as the ridge of high pressure moves in. A warm southerly flow will be over the area Wednesday and Thursday, with non-freezing temperatures at 10,000’ day and night, and moderate to strong southwesterly winds. The next trough will move in over the area around Friday.

The second annual “Beacon and Eggs” contests are in full swing, with BIG prizes to the winners. The next big event is next Saturday at Snowbird. For more information, go to http://www.snowbird.com/events/events/beaconandeggs.html

Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.Click here to check out our new online avalanche encyclopedia.Click HERE for a text only version of the avalanche advisory.To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Provo canyons, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838. The Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not get out yesterday and are unlikely to fly today. If they do, they will be in Cardiff, Days, Silver and White Pine.  For more info, call 742-2800.   Special announcement:

The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is authorizing Wasatch Powderbird Guides to operate within established golden eagle mitigation buffers to aid research biologists collecting data to evaluate the effects of heli-skiing operations on nesting golden eagles in the Tri Canyon Area. This authorization is under permit from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and will be in effect through 30 April 2006.  For further information please contract Steve Scheid at the Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2689.Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions.  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.I will update this advisory by 7:30 Wednesday 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.
 
April 13, 2006 - 7:13 am   The danger from wet avalanches is MODERATE this morning, and will increase to CONSIDERABLE with day time heating on any slope where you are sinking into wet snow.  There is also a MODERATE danger of wind slabs along the upper elevation ridges, mostly on north through east facing slopes.

Forecaster: Bruce Tremepr Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 8 Hrs With today’s temperatures well above freezing and a full 7 degrees warmer than yesterday, you can expect that the wet avalanche activity to increase and move up in elevation.  You should plan to be off of and out from underneath any steep slopes by noon and you should avoid any slopes where you are sinking into wet snow.  Also, conditions like this often release glide avalanches, so you should avoid crossing under slopes with glide cracks.  For instance today and Friday are definitely not the days to be in places like Stairs Gulch, or under the glide cracks in Broads Fork or Mill B South. 

24 Hrs Yesterday’s strong winds from the southwest blew the two inches of new snow into localized wind drifts along the upper elevation ridges.  Yesterday, it was easy to crack out these fresh wind slabs.  Luckily, they were easy to see because they are chalky white in contrast to the large-grained, somewhat dust-coated, old corn snow.  As always, you should avoid any steep slope with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Yesterday, people were able to trigger some localized wind slabs along the upper elevation ridges on north through east facing slopes.  Most of these were 6 inches to a foot deep.  Also, there was some localized wet point-release sluffs yesterday at lower and mid elevations as the snow heated up in the sun.  (See PHOTOS of yesterday’s conditions)

In the mountains this morning, hot desert winds feel like someone turned on a giant hair dryer.  This morning’s temperatures are above freezing even on the highest peaks with 8,000’ temperatures in the mid 40’s.  This is 7 degrees warmer than yesterday morning.   Usually, the radiational cooling from a clear sky will freeze the snow surface even with above freezing air temperatures, but the strong, warm wind cancels everything out.  In other words, any refreeze this morning will probably be eggshell thin and short lived.  Ridge top winds are still blowing 35 from the southwest with gusts in the 50’s.  

It will be warm and windy today and Friday.  Ridge top temperatures will be around 40 degrees with ridge top winds from the southwest decreasing from 30 mph this morning to 20 mph by mid day, then increase again to 30 mph by tonight.  Down at 8,000’ the temperature will rise to a sweltering 55 degrees.  Skies should be clear today and for most of Friday.Extended forecast:We have clouds and a few inches of snow this weekend, starting Friday night.  Then, we have a strong cold front with possibly significant snow for Monday and Tuesday, which should plunge our ridge top temperatures down to around 10 degrees.

The second annual “Beacon and Eggs” contests are in full swing, with BIG prizes to the winners.  The next big event is next Saturday at Snowbird.  For more information, go to http://www.snowbird.com/events/events/beaconandeggs.htmlEarly birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.Click here to check out our new online avalanche encyclopedia.Click HERE for a text only version of the avalanche advisory.To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Provo canyons, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838. The Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not get out yesterday and are unlikely to fly today. If they do, they will be in Cardiff, Days, Silver, White Pine and American Fork.  For more info, call 742-2800.   Special announcement:

The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is authorizing Wasatch Powderbird Guides to operate within established golden eagle mitigation buffers to aid research biologists collecting data to evaluate the effects of heli-skiing operations on nesting golden eagles in the Tri Canyon Area. This authorization is under permit from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and will be in effect through 30 April 2006.  For further information please contract Steve Scheid at the Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2689.Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions.  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.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.
 
April 14, 2006 - 7:06 am   The overall avalanche danger today will be LOW but there is a MODERATE danger of glide avalanches off steep rock slabs and some very localized, lingering wet avalanche potential at lower elevations.  There is also a MODERATE danger of wind slabs along the upper elevation ridges, mostly on north through east facing slopes.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs Continued winds along the ridge tops, there are still some localized pockets of wind slabs along the upper elevation ridges.  As always, you should avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. 24 Hrs Today, with the cooler temperatures and clouds, wet avalanche activity should stay at a minimum, but as always, you should avoid traveling under glide cracks, which you will find in abundance in places like Stairs Gulch and Broad’s Fork.

Yesterday, the strong winds kept wet avalanche activity to a minimum.  There was the usual round of point release wet sluffs in the afternoon and one glide avalanche released off the steep, east-facing rock slabs in Broads Fork either yesterday morning or the day before.  (See PHOTOS of yesterday’s conditions).  Glide cracks in Stairs Gulch continue to get larger and they could also release any time.

Although the skies are clear this morning, we should start to see high clouds soon and they should lower throughout the day.  Ridge top temperatures are around freezing, which are a couple degrees colder this morning than yesterday morning.  Because the winds are much calmer this morning than yesterday morning, a temperature inversion formed in all the mountain valleys, where the temperatures are 10 degrees colder than yesterday morning.  Even though most of the temperatures are still above freezing, combined with the clear sky and low humidity, the bottom line is that the snow surface should be frozen and supportable this morning at most aspects and elevations.  There is a 4-inch sun crust on south facing slopes.  North facing slopes above 9,500’ are dry and crusty with a breakable sun crust at lower elevations.

High clouds should arrive this morning and continue to lower throughout the day.  By afternoon, we should have light showers in the mountains with the rain-snow line starting out up around 9,500’ and lower to around 7,500’ by tonight.  We should get about 4 inches of new snow by Saturday morning, with lingering showers on Saturday.  Ridge top winds will blow 10-20 from the southwest and increase to around 30 mph by afternoon.  Ridge top temperatures will slowly fall from near freezing this morning to the mid 20’s by tonight.  Down at 8,000’ the high should be in the 50’s with sunshine this morning, but it should fall to below freezing overnight.

The second annual “Beacon and Eggs” contests are in full swing, with BIG prizes to the winners.  The next big event is next Saturday at Snowbird.  For more information, go to http://www.snowbird.com/events/events/beaconandeggs.htmlEarly birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report at 364-1591.Click here to check out our new online avalanche encyclopedia.Click HERE for a text only version of the avalanche advisory.To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE. UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and Provo canyons, which is updated as needed. 801-975-4838. The Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew briefly yesterday in American Fork and Cardiff Fork. If they get out today, they will be in American Fork.  For more info, call 742-2800.   Special announcement:

The Wasatch-Cache National Forest is authorizing Wasatch Powderbird Guides to operate within established golden eagle mitigation buffers to aid research biologists collecting data to evaluate the effects of heli-skiing operations on nesting golden eagles in the Tri Canyon Area. This authorization is under permit from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and will be in effect through 30 April 2006.  For further information please contract Steve Scheid at the Salt Lake Ranger District at 801-733-2689.Please report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions.  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.Drew Hardesty 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.
 
April 16, 2006 - 6:54 am   There is a MODERATE danger for any new wind drifts in steep upper elevation terrain.  The danger for wet activity at the mid and low elevations and all sun-exposed slopes will yet again rise to MODERATE and then CONSIDERABLE with daytime heating. 

This will be our last scheduled early morning advisory for the year. We’ll put out intermittent updates on the web and Salt Lake City phone line (364-1581) as conditions warrant. Thanks for all your support and we’ll look for you at the Black Diamond/Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center fundraiser/party in the fall. 

Drew Hardesty

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia 24 Hrs For today, be alert for isolated wind drifts on the lee of ridgelines and steep breakovers in the higher elevations. They’ll be most commonly found on steep northwest through east facing slopes, yet stronger winds will likely have deposited a pocket or two in unlikely spots.

10 Hrs Regarding the wet activity for today, timing will again be everything. Once the crusts no longer become supportable, you’ll have no business being on the slope. Move to cooler adjacent aspects or lower angled terrain.

I heard of some poor travel etiquette in the backcountry yesterday. Keep things tight by moving through suspect terrain one at a time, don’t descend on top of other parties, and maintain good visual and verbal contact.



Up high, at least, a density break 4-6” down in the new snow initially provided action with slope cuts and cornice drops. This instability settled out quickly with daytime heating, which led to the next issue. Warming temperatures, direct sun, and greenhousing conspired to elevate the wet sluff danger by midday.  Many long running sluffs ran full track with some gouging into older wet unconsolidated layers. 

Partly cloudy skies and overnight temperatures in the low thirties support at least a superficial refreeze of the snowpack this morning. The pre-storm southwesterly winds gained momentum overnight with anemometers reading 25-35mph, gusting to the mid-50’s. High northerly slopes will still provide a few turns of settled powder while the off aspects will have a blend of breakable and supportable melt freeze crusts.

We’ll have partly cloudy skies this morning with increasing clouds late afternoon ahead of tonight’s storm. Winds and temperatures will continue to rise throughout the day with 8000’ highs reaching to the upper 40’s and 10k temps to the upper 30’s. The southwesterlies will reach a crescendo of 35-40mph this afternoon. Tonight’s storm looks like a pretty good bet. Temperatures drop to the low teens post-frontal tomorrow and 12-18” of storm snow is expected in favored locations. 

The second annual “Beacon and Eggs” contests will wrap up next Saturday at Snowbird. For more information, go to 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.We will update this advisory by 7:30 in the next day or so.  Stay tuned.

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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