Manti-La
Sal Avalanche Center
US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National
Forest
Introduction: Good Morning! This is Evan Stevens with the USFS Manti-La
Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Wednesday, December 29th, 2004 at 8:30
a.m.
To see past advisories check out the ARCHIVE. To see current conditions go to our WEATHER PAGE. To see photos go to the AVIPHOTOS page.
General Conditions:
WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect, and we may get enough
snow that we will be in an AVALANCHE WARNING
by this afternoon. The moisture is here
and it is coming in fast and furious.
However, so is the warm air, as mountain temperatures are soaring, and
snow densities are high. Today will see
snow and blowing snow with conditions ranging from fresh snow to wind slabs in
exposed locations. Dont be surprised,
the strong winds will affect even the lower and more sheltered terrain. New
snow will start to become deeper as you go above 10,000, with about 1-4 of
new snow out there as of right now.
Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)
Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600): 21 of
snow on the ground and 36 degrees.
Pre-Laurel
Peak (11,700): 18 degrees, and the
winds are averaging 25 mph out of the S-SW with gusts as high as the mid 40s.
Gold Basin has about 36 of settled snow on the ground.
Mountain Weather: (At 10,500)
Today:
Periods of snow
showers with widespread blowing snow. High around 31. Wind chill values between
-2 and 8. Windy, with a south southwest wind 40 to 45 mph decreasing to between
30 and 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8
inches possible.
Tonight: Periods of snow. Low around 13. Wind chill values between -3
and 5. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 50
mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches
possible.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high around
27. Wind chill values between -4 and 6. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20
mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Avalanche Conditions:
You wont need your PHD or Masters degree in Snow Science to
realize that the avalanche danger will be rising rapidly as the day goes on. Although we can only call the danger MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE at
present it should rise to HIGH as the day progresses across most
terrain steeper than 30 degrees.. The
last 2.5 weeks of cold and clear weather has left us a snowpack of
predominantly weak and sugary faceted snow.
No matter where you are today, down low in the trees, or up near
treeline, the heavy new snow and strong winds will add a solid slab on top of
the fragile snowpack. Shooting cracks
and whoompfing will clue you in to the danger, but know before you go out there
that you should keep your slope angles below 30 degrees, stay in the trees and
do not travel underneath large slide paths.
Nordic and Skate Skiing:
Be prepared for a workout,
and the resistance increasing each day of this week. Let the snow start to fly for more resistance.