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 Ephraim, Huntington and Fairview Canyons. This advisory is brought to you through a partnership with Utah State Parks. Today is Sunday, February 6^th, 2005 at 7:30 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.

We are currently teaching a three day Level I Avalanche Course in Mt. Pleasant. The FREE class is full!

General Conditions:

A change is in the air and snow is in the forecast for the Manti Skyline. Yesterday the temperatures reached 36 degrees at the Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL site, and the low temperature got down to 14 degrees. The thin clouds yesterday morning dept the temperatures lower, and the temperatures will be even colder in the next couple of days. The lack of any new snow and warm temperatures mean that there are plenty of snowmobile tracks out there and that on those South and West aspects the snow has some sun crust on it, while the Northerly aspects will be the best bet to find some consolidated powder.

Current Conditions (6 a.m.):

Miller Flat (8,800’): 42” of settled snow on the ground.

Seeley Creek (10,000’): There is 41” of snow at the SNOTEL site.

Mountain Weather:

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROME SUNDAY AFTERNOON TO MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE MANTI SKYLINE

Today: Chance of snow in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy. Colder. High temperatures will be in the high 20’s. There is a 80% chance of precipitation in the afternoon. Winds will be out of the west at 20-25 mph.

Sunday Night: Snow likely. Accumulations of 2”-4” expected. Lows will be in the lower 20’s. Winds will be of the west at 20 mph.

Monday: Snow. Accumulations possible. Highs will be in the lower 20’s. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Winds will start to taper off by Monday afternoon.

Avalanche Conditions:

With mild temperatures and the lack of any significant snowfall in the past week, the Skyline has been quiet lately . There is a WINTER STORM WATCH in affect for Superbowl Sunday, and there is a good possibility that the avalanche danger will rise, especially after the snow starts to fly. There are some weak layers hiding in the current snow pack, and a significant snow/wind event might get these weak layers to react, not to mention cornices becoming larger and tender. The bottom line is an avalanche danger that may rise to MODERATE when the wind speeds pick up and starts to drift the new snow, on leeward slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Otherwise the avalanche danger will remain mostly LOW. Remember that MODERATE danger means human triggered avalanches are possible, so always play it safe out there!