BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)

Danger Rose Tutorial

Avalanche dangers in the Mountains of SE Utah are mostly LOW or Level 1 right now. We are many days out from our last storm and the moutains are showing it.

It is getting tougher and tougher to find good skiing in SE Utah. Very sheltered shady side slopes are the only place where you'll find good snow and north winds are working against us.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

There is a chance of snow in the forecast for today but right now we remain high and dry and in need of some precipitation. While our percentages of normal water for the La Sals (112%) and the Abajos (170% )remain high, it has been nearly a month since we've had a significant snow event. The mountains of SE Utah certainly do not appear to be holding that much snow. Northerly winds are doing their best to ruin what remains of the shady side powder and only the most sheltered locations are holding good snow. TIme to head for the secret stash. It's a cool 18 degrees at the GPTH this morning with light N winds.

The Geyser Pass road is buffed. Access to the old Blue Mountain Ski area in the Abajos has been plowed to the base of the hill - very convenient! The La Sal Loop road is open from Castle Valley to Sand Flats as well.

All of the La Sal Nordic system has been groomed by Luna Volunteers for classic cross-country and skate skiing. It's the best bet in the La Sals right now for good conditions. Thanks all!

RECENT ACTIVITY

We're quite a ways out from any recent activity. An archive of avalanches and terrain photos for SE Utah has been posted under the "current conditions" tab if you are interested.

You can also submit photos and snowpack or avalanche observations here.

THREAT #1

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 48 hours.

Avalanche Dangers in SE Utah are mostly LOW or LEVEL 1 of 5. In the Alpine Zone above treeline there is the possibility of localized "skier education pockets" - areas of wind deposition from the north winds we've been having for the last week or so. There is more snow available for transport from north facing slopes so heads up and keep an eye out for lens-shaped and possibly hollow sounding areas of wind drifted snow, particularly on sunny side slopes.

We DO have buried persistent weak layers buried in our snow pack that are likely to become active when we get a real storm in our region.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:

Today: A 50 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. North northeast wind between 5 and 15 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. North northeast wind around 15 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. North northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Windy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to between 25 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy and windy, with a low around 23. Friday: Sunny and windy, with a high near 44. Friday Night: Mostly clear and blustery, with a low around 27. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will update this message Tuesday morning, sooner if conditions change.

The Utah Avalanche Center has a limited number of discount lift tickets available for several Utah Ski Resorts. Follow this link for more information: http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center

Our yearly Level 1 class will be held January 28, 29 and 30 of this winter season. The level 1 class focuses on avalanche phenomena, recognition and management of terrain where you might encounter these beasts and basic rescue.

Call 435-636-3363 and speak to Dave or Max for more information or to sign up.Via e-mail: dave@utahavalanchecenter.org

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.