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 Saturday, February 21st, 2004 at 7:30 a.m.

General Conditions:

There is a good chance of snow to fall on the Skyline today, but this past work week was pretty quiet for new snowfall amounts. The days have been getting into the mid forties, allowing our snow pack to settle out and leave a sun crust on those south and westerly aspects. Currently on the Skyline it is 20 degrees out and there is 40” of snow at the Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL stake. This is 17 inches lower than less than it was 12 days ago. The sun really can do a number. Expect the roads to be clear and in good shape.

Mountain Weather:

The low pressure system is located in the south western part of Utah, giving way to South winds this morning. Most of the precipitation associated with this storm should stay to the south, although we do have a chance of picking up some accumulation.

Today: Snow likely. Accumulations of 1-2” possible. Highs @ 8,000’ in the upper 20’s. Chance of snow 70%.

Tonight: 70% chance of snow. Additional accumulations of 1-2” expected. Lows @ 8,000’ near 20.

Sunday: Snow still possible. Accumulations could reach an inch! Highs @ 8,000’ in the upper 20’s

Avalanche Conditions:

With the recent temperatures reaching into the 40’s for the past couple of days, you can expect sun crusts on South and West aspects while on Northern aspects you can have some consolidated powder. If we exceed our expected snow fall, there could be a chance of some new slab development out in the backcountry, although it is locked in place for the most part right now. Today I am going out to find how it is all bonding together on Northern aspects. For today your avalanche danger is going to be MODERATE on wind loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees, especially in areas that don’t get too much snowmobile traffic and on North through East aspects. The rest of the areas I am going to rate at LOW. There has been some funky instabilities up in the Wasatch areas, these could be here as well, probably due to a weak interface between our January thaw and our February snows. Be careful out in avalanche terrain and always use proper travel techniques.

Public Announcements:

We have some classes coming your way in February! The next class will be held in Ephraim on Friday, February 27^th. This is a basic avalanche awareness class that will be held at the Snow College. Call us at 435.636.3363 for more information. 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. We are still looking for observers for the Wasatch Plateau/Skyline region. The more information we can gather, the better this advisory can be.