Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good Morning! This is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Thursday, December 11th, 2003 at 7:30 A.M

General Conditions:

The current temperature in Moab is 17F with calm winds and up at the Geyser Pass Trailhead it is 15.8F and 22” at the SNOTEL site. Yesterday, the temperature at the trailhead stayed below freezing and a some high cloud cover helped in keeping the new snow cold. I believe that there is plenty of powder still available for your favorite winter sport. Just be careful on the road to the trailhead, for it is snow packed, 4WD or chains may come in handy.

Mountain Weather:

Today: Mostly Cloudy with calm winds, high near 30. Snow showers possible with a 30% probability of measurable precipitation.

Tonight: Snow showers possible. Chance of measurable precipitation: 30%. Winds out of the NE at 6mph. Low around 14.

Friday: Mostly Cloudy, Highs around 29, lows around 8. Winds out of the NNE at 4-8mph.

Avalanche Conditions:

Yesterday, there were moderate winds in the early afternoon that were transporting snow to the lee sides of mountains. The storm layer has settled over six inches in 48 hours, which is good for stability, and observations point in the direction that it bonded well with the old snow surface. Our main concern is with newly deposited wind slabs and density differences in the new snow. We witnessed few signs of instability yesterday, no cracking or collapsing and only a few sluffs in the upper elevations. I am going to keep the back country danger at or above tree-line at an overall MODERATE, with pockets of CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes (NW-SE) 35 degrees and steeper. In open shady areas below treeline the avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Caution is still necessary out there, it is still the early season and many obstacles may lie just below the surface of the snow.

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

No time is better than the present for Nordic skiing! Extra blue wax could be the call today.

Public Announcements:

We still need volunteers and observers! Call us at the office for more info, 259-7155 for more info, or 636-3363 after hours.

Safety Tip of the Day:

Practice with your beacon! It is important to know how to use it proficiently and also to get your time down. Every second counts in a rescue!