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Forecast for the Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Saturday morning, January 18, 2025
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Today's danger rating on the Manti Skyline is MODERATE.
Wind drifted snow is your biggest concern today.
Drifts may crack out on their own or could break deeper into buried facets.
Simply avoid areas that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow and you'll have no issues today.
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Special Announcements
FREE BEACON CLINIC
Saturday, 8:30am to 1 pm
North Skyline Drive trailhead at the intersection of State Road 31 and State Road 264, north side of the parking lot.
Show up anytime between 8:30 and 1 and we will teach you how to use your rescue gear. You will feel MUCH MORE CONFIDENT with your rescue gear after this session.
Weather and Snow
Current Conditions: There was light snowfall overnight that really didn't add up to anything. We've had pretty steady west northwest wind for the last 24 hours. Solid steady moderate speeds with some stronger speeds along the highest peaks. It looks like it has mixed down into the canyons overnight with some drifting occurring. Temperatures are down into the single digits. Surface conditions were still quite nice on Friday. We'll see what the wind has done. Hopefully it hasn't ruined all the nice surface powder we had because we're not getting any fresh for a while.
Mountain Weather: Expect cold temperatures today with breezy conditions this morning. It looks like the wind should slow as the day goes on. I think the clouds will hang around and there is even a chance for light snowfall that won't add up to anything. Sunday will be cloudy and cold. We might see some more light snow on Monday with no real accumulation.
Recent Avalanches
There were two snowmobile triggered avalanches reported on Friday. They were both fresh wind slabs that didn't break into deeper facets. No one was caught. Anticipate more of these today.
Photo: Little Pete's Hole, Jayson Albee.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The most likely type of avalanche you'll encounter today is from the recent wind forming fresh drifts. In general, these won't be all that deep and probably won't cause too much harm but they could surprise you and boss you around.
The most likely place to trigger one is going to be right below ridgelines on steep slopes that face north, east and south. The photo above is a great example of the type of terrain where you'll find these.
I'll be using small test slopes all day today to figure out how sensitive these drifts are. I'll be avoiding the most obvious large drifts on more consequential terrain.
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Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The wind over the last 24 hours will have enhanced the chances slightly for triggering an avalanche that breaks deeper into our Persistent Weak Layer. In areas where the wind hasn't deposited snow and formed drifts and slabs, the chances for triggering an avalanche are not all that great. You are more likely to have something break deeper where there are recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
The most likely places to trigger a deeper avalanche today are on steep slopes especially near the ridges on slopes that face west, north and east but especially north and east facing terrain.
Additional Information
SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS
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INSTAGRAM: SKYLINE_AVALANCHE
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This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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