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 for the Wasatch Plateau/Manti Skyline Region, including but not limited to Fairview and Huntington Canyons. This advisory is brought to you through a partnership of the US Forest Service and Utah State Parks. Today is Sunday, December 21st, 2003 at 8:30 a.m.

Mountain Weather:

Let it snow, let it snow. It is currently 27F at the Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL sight. The base is at 21”, and so far this morning three inches of snow has fallen. There is two feet of snow at the Miller Flat Reservoir trailhead.

Today: SNOW ADVISORY THROUGH TODAY. Colder with snow showers possible. Accumulations 3”-6”. Highs at 8,000’ in the lower thirties.

Tonight: 30% chance of additional precipitation. Partly cloudy. Lows at 8,000’ 15-20.

Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs at 8,000’ in the lower 30’s.

General Conditions:

Before this new snow came in, the roads were generally dry and wide. Today, be careful up on the road… Moderate winds will create some drifts and perhaps some white out conditions. Most of the bushes have been covered, but be careful around fence lines, they are on the cusp of getting buried in some areas. The avalanche beacon workshop brought in only one person, and he was pulling through from Mexico to Wisconsin for the holidays. If it weren’t for this gentleman, nobody would have practiced with their beacons. The internet has a long reach.

Avalanche Conditions:

The cornices I have been trying to kick off for the past couple of days were only breaking off after persistent attempts, and when they did, they didn’t break very big. As one of my friends said it, they are “welded on” up there. But now we have some new snow to transport around up on the Skyline, and they are calling for some moderate amounts of the white stuff, with some moderate winds, and that can only mean one thing… MODERATE avalanche danger on wind-loaded slopes (N-E) greater than 35 degrees and in areas that have developed new cornices. On wind scoured slopes and on the trail systems, the avalanche danger is going to be LOW.

Safety Tip of the Day:

Are you ready for the cold weather? Do you have an emergency kit on your snowmobile? Always carry extra food, water and clothing with you at all times. A first aid kit, map, flashlight and a repair kit should also be carried. Does someone know where you are going for the day? Returning safely to your loved ones is the first priority of any trip, so be prepared for the unexpected.

Public Announcements:

We have some great classes coming your way in January! And we just set one up in Ephraim in February! Take a look at our Education link on the main page. If you want to schedule a free avalanche awareness class for your snowmobile club, please call us at 435.636.3363 or leave an email at mforgensi@fs.fed.us.