Utah Avalanche Center
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January 8, 2007 - 6:53 am The danger is MODERATE on all recently wind drifted slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Non wind affected slopes will have a LOW danger.
Forecasters: Drew Hardesty and Tom Kimbrough. If you've missed that gravelly baritone from Tennessee, listen to today's recorded Salt Lake line, 1.888.999.4019 option 1.
Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia A warm front has given us mostly cloudy skies and some localized misting in the mountains this morning along with a rapid rise in temps. Temperatures warmed dramatically the last 24 hours and are up fifteen to twenty degrees into the high teens and low twenties. Northwest winds picked up again overnight and blowing 40-60mph along the high ridges. The wind damage has been tremendous enough to consider changing our catchphrase from Greatest snow on earth to Utah- its like skiing on the moon. The cold temps, ferocity of winds, and uneven distribution of wind slabs kept things in check yesterday. Only minor collapsing was reported in mid-White Pine of Little Cottonwood with nothing else to report from the backcountry. Ski area control teams reported the hard wind slabs as being stubborn and non-reactive with the most interesting a 2 deep 120 wide avalanche on a north east aspect near 11,000 in upper Little Cottonwood. It ran naturally on Saturday. One observer in upper Mill Creek noted a slide breaking into old faceted snow in upper Alexander Basin on a northeast facing slope at about 9600. It was apparently triggered by another natural from above cascading over a cliff-band. 24 Hrs Continued winds will produce a few more drifts today, but they should be minor in scope. The other player is the rapid rise in temperatures, which can accentuate the trigger-ability of previously locked up wind drifts by softening the slab and nudging up the creep rate on the steeper slopes. Its all conjecture, but something to look into if youre at home or the office and not skiing or riding the coral. With stellars being the most persistent non-persistent weak layer under the drifts, it would be worth doing a few snowpits if you are getting out today. 24 Hrs Any slide triggered may have the potential to step into older faceted snow, as evidenced by Athey's observation in Alexander Basin. These areas are most pronounced on mid and upper elevation west through north through southeast facing slopes and more likely outside of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Building high pressure should thin out the mostly cloudy skies by the afternoon and the northwesterly winds will slowly drop off to a more reasonable 25-30mph. Temps continue to rise to the mid to upper twenties. Although the models seem to wobble around on some of the details, it does look like a cold and sustained system for Thursday through Saturday and my theory is that it is about time.
The Wasatch Powderbird Guides were grounded due to weather yesterday and if they can get out today, will try to fly in AF and Snake Creek. uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (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 on Tuesday morning, and 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.
Forecasters: Drew Hardesty and Tom Kimbrough. If you've missed that gravelly baritone from Tennessee, listen to today's recorded Salt Lake line, 1.888.999.4019 option 1.
Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia A warm front has given us mostly cloudy skies and some localized misting in the mountains this morning along with a rapid rise in temps. Temperatures warmed dramatically the last 24 hours and are up fifteen to twenty degrees into the high teens and low twenties. Northwest winds picked up again overnight and blowing 40-60mph along the high ridges. The wind damage has been tremendous enough to consider changing our catchphrase from Greatest snow on earth to Utah- its like skiing on the moon. The cold temps, ferocity of winds, and uneven distribution of wind slabs kept things in check yesterday. Only minor collapsing was reported in mid-White Pine of Little Cottonwood with nothing else to report from the backcountry. Ski area control teams reported the hard wind slabs as being stubborn and non-reactive with the most interesting a 2 deep 120 wide avalanche on a north east aspect near 11,000 in upper Little Cottonwood. It ran naturally on Saturday. One observer in upper Mill Creek noted a slide breaking into old faceted snow in upper Alexander Basin on a northeast facing slope at about 9600. It was apparently triggered by another natural from above cascading over a cliff-band. 24 Hrs Continued winds will produce a few more drifts today, but they should be minor in scope. The other player is the rapid rise in temperatures, which can accentuate the trigger-ability of previously locked up wind drifts by softening the slab and nudging up the creep rate on the steeper slopes. Its all conjecture, but something to look into if youre at home or the office and not skiing or riding the coral. With stellars being the most persistent non-persistent weak layer under the drifts, it would be worth doing a few snowpits if you are getting out today. 24 Hrs Any slide triggered may have the potential to step into older faceted snow, as evidenced by Athey's observation in Alexander Basin. These areas are most pronounced on mid and upper elevation west through north through southeast facing slopes and more likely outside of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Building high pressure should thin out the mostly cloudy skies by the afternoon and the northwesterly winds will slowly drop off to a more reasonable 25-30mph. Temps continue to rise to the mid to upper twenties. Although the models seem to wobble around on some of the details, it does look like a cold and sustained system for Thursday through Saturday and my theory is that it is about time.
The Wasatch Powderbird Guides were grounded due to weather yesterday and if they can get out today, will try to fly in AF and Snake Creek. uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (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 on Tuesday morning, and 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.