Avalanche Advisory
| Advisory: Skyline Area Mountains | Issued by Craig Gordon for February 9, 2013 - 7:15am |
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Above treeline
Near treeline
Below treeline
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bottom line Most of the terrain has a MODERATE avalanche danger and fresh wind drifts will be sensitive to the additional weight of a rider. While not widespread, pockets of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger are found on upper elevation easterly facing slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Might be best to avoid these slopes for a few more days and they will be much safer.
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special announcement This advisory was created this morning by Trent Meisenheimer and Craig Gordon |
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current conditions The recent storm will be a welcomed coat of fresh paint for the Skyline. The storm overnight produced 10-15 inches of right side up snow with a half inch of water. The new snow is helping to cover up the old worn out snow surfaces. Riding and turning conditions will be greatly improved as the storm snow stacks up and clouds clear. Temperatures this morning are in the single digits and the winds remain light out of the west. |
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recent activity In our travels we noticed a few small new snow natural avalanches that ran during the height of the storm. These avalanches didn't pose any threat, as they were small and only confined to the new snow. We also experienced a loud booming collapse on a wind loaded ridge.
No new avalanches have been reported. Check out all of the avalanches from the Skyline HERE. |
Avalanche Problem 1over the next 24 hours
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description
As the cold front approached the strong winds and snow from the southwest have loaded the leeward side of the mountain creating a fresh batch of wind slabs in the high terrain. Best to avoid these as they will be sensitive throughout the day and could pack a punch. If the snow under your track feels punchy, upside down, or hollow you know you've stumbled across a fresh wind slab. The biggest threat would be triggering a wind slab that breaks into older buried weak layers. See persistent slab.
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Avalanche Problem 2over the next 24 hours
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Above treeline
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Below treeline
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description
This is the avalanche dragon that lives in the basement and has been quietly sleeping over the past few days. However, with the recent storm snow and winds this old cranky demon could wake up. This all started back in early January where a cold dry spell turned the snow surface into faceted (weak sugary snow) and is now buried 1-3 ft deep. While this is not a widespread problem it does pose a significant threat to certain slopes and should be avoided. These avalanches could be a season ender if caught and carried.
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Avalanche Problem 3over the next 24 hours
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Above treeline
Near treeline
Below treeline
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description
As the winds and snow built yesterday, so did the cornices. These overhanging giants should be avoided as they could be quite sensitive to the newly added weight. As always be suspicious of approaching edges or drop offs in the mountains. Give these cornices a wide berth as they usually break farther back than expected. |
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weather Temperatures are in the single digits this morning and should climb into the low to mid 20’s throughout the day. The winds remain light and generally out of the west, although it could become gusty at times. Snow will be on and off again lasting through Sunday. We should see an additional 5-9 inches of snow by Sunday evening as the storm exits the area. Temperatures will remain cold this weekend with partly cloudy sunny skies forecasted for the beginning of the week. |
| general annoucements Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can call me directly at 801-231-2170, email craig@utahavalanchecenter.org, or email by clicking HERE This is a great time of year to schedule a free avalanche awareness presentation for your group or club. You can contact me at 801-231-2170 or email craig@utahavalanchecenter.org Donate to your favorite non-profit –The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work. The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This advisory will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday February 16th. |