BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)

Danger Rose Tutorial

We've measured nearly 5" of new snow that will push avalanche danger ratings solidly into the CONSIDERABLE (LEVEL3) range in the Mountains of SE Utah today. W and NW winds will be loading S-E-NE-N facing slopes so be careful on these aspects near and above treeline.

Skiing and riding conditions will be much improved.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

It looks like mother nature scored a direct hit yesterday after noon with the short wave that passed over SE Utah yesterday afternoon. We picked up a quick 3.5 inches in a couple of hours and a little more last night when another wave rolled through. So, we've picked up about 4.5 inches overnight and it looks like we picked up 2 inches at Camp Jackson in the Abajos. Temperatures have dropped with light to moderate winds from the north. It will feel wintery in the mountains today.

Road Access to SE Utah Mountain Trailheads has not been cleared yet this morning. 4WD and Chains recommended.

THREAT #1

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 24 hours.

Click here for an explanation of the North American Danger Rating system

We've had about 5 inches of new snow on a West and Northwest flow. Based on what we measured at the SNOTEL site, the new snow is about 10 percent density so It'll be packing some weight. This will easily push us into the CONSIDERABLE or Level 3 avalanche danger rating in any location where there is wind drifting. This is most likely on North - East - South facing slopes where NW winds will have pushed more snow. Expect to find MODERATE or LEVEL2 avalanche dangers elsewhere.

Avalanche dangers will be less severe in the Abajo Mountains where less snow has fallen.

THREAT #2

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

No size identified.

Over the next 48 hours.

Weak old snow exists to great extent in the Mountains of SE Utah and may take quite some time to adjust to any new snow load on shady side E-NE-NW facing slopes. We may be well into spring before we see snow strengthening on these aspects. The snow pack received another insult about a week and a half ago in the form of a dirt layer that might give us some issues further down the road. A great photo of the dirt layer can be seen here.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:

Today:

Snow likely, mainly before 11am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tonight:

Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. North wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east southeast.

Saturday:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest.

Saturday Night:

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southeast.

Sunday:

A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest.

Sunday Night:

A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Monday:

Snow likely. Some thunder is also possible. Cloudy and windy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday Night:

Snow likely. Cloudy and windy, with a low around 23.

Tuesday:

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.

Tuesday Night:

A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Wednesday:

Partly sunny, with a high near 28.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will update this message Saturday morning.

If you see an avalanche or would like to share any snowpack observations (please do!) you can call us at 435-636-3363, e-mail Dave at : dave@utahavalanche center.org, or use the backcountry observations form here. These observations really help!

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.