Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction:

Good Morning! This is Evan Stevens with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Monday, December 15th, 2003 at 7:30 A.M

General Conditions:

Powder and wind pretty much sums it up today. Approximately 15” of new snow has fallen according to the SNOTEL site, mostly between 10pm last night and 4am this morning. It all fell with cold temperatures as well, so look for some excellent skiing and riding conditions in sheltered below treeline locations, and wind effected everywhere else. And its cold, with temperatures dropping all night to our current low of 11 degrees. Don’t expect the road to be plowed until midday, so chains and 4WD may be necessary.

Mountain Weather:

I still can’t believe the great early season we are having. A few inches may be possible during the day, but expect the storm to totally clear out by the afternoon. Highs will be in the low 20s with strong winds from the NW at 20-30mph with higher gusts. Tonight the bottom drops out of our temps, with lows below zero and 15-20mph winds from the N-NE. The cold will stick around for tomorrow, but so will the clear. Enjoy the pow-pow, because the crystal ball looks a little dry for the week to come.

Avalanche Conditions

With over a foot of new snow and howling winds from the N-NW you better believe that there is a significant hazard out there today. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes (especially N-E-S aspects and cross-loaded gullies) steeper than 30-35 degrees. Be careful today and be on the game with your safe travel skills; don’t cross below dangerous slopes as this could be a day when they avalanche naturally, especially with strong winds and fresh snow. Also look for wind slabs to be deposited further down slope due to the strong winds. Look for signs such as shooting cracks in the snow, collapsing and natural avalanche activity as clues to the danger, but it should be pretty clear that there is a significant danger out there today.

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

With this much new snow it will be a little bit before conditions improve again.

Public Announcements:

We still need volunteers and observers! Call us at the office for more info, 259-7155 for more info, or 636-3363 after hours. Get ready for our avalanche awareness courses coming in January. Check the education page for a course near you.

Word of the Day:

Surface Hoar is the large feathery frost that forms on the snow surface during calm, clear, cold and humid conditions. When buried it can be one of the most dangerous weak layers out there.