In partnership with: Utah Division of State
Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department
of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and
AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Saturday,
March 11, 2006 7:30am
Good morning, this is Brett Kobernik with
the
Current Conditions:
This period of unseasonably cool temperatures has been
a real treat for snow lovers. With
temperatures in the teens to low 20s on Friday, southerly facing and lower
elevation slopes were the only ones that were affected by heating. Winds remained light from the north during
the day yesterday but have switched to the southeast and picked up into the 20
to 30 mph range with a few stronger gusts.
It’s currently overcast with some light snow in the mountains.
Recent Avalanche Activity & Snowpack Discussion:
Our epic winter in the backcountry continues with good
stability but it’s not quite “anything goes” conditions. While seasoned veterans remark that this is
the best winter they can remember as far as ski conditions and snow stability,
it was interesting watching them carefully probing the snow and digging hand
pits yesterday, trying to gain any clues they could about possible slab
conditions that had formed from recent winds.
Careful slope cuts and sending one person at a time was the norm. And folks did find some avalanching. (Photos) These avalanches involved wind drifted snow
from Thursday in the upper elevation terrain on various aspects. They were 8 to 18” deep with the widest one
about 100 feet wide. Also, I noted on my
way out of a lower elevation drainage that some
snowshoers were able to initiate small wet slides involving the newest snow
that had become damp from daytime heating.
It appears that they were intentionally riding these
small slides downhill which is not the wisest practice.
Avalanche problem #1 – Wind slabs
For today, wind slabs will again be our main focus. Note that the winds have picked up and are
from an unusual southeast direction. Don’t
be surprised to find an avalanche in wind exposed terrain again today. Continue to probe the snow with your pole
feeling for hollowness beneath the surface.
Watch for stiff wind textured snow and pillowy looking
drifts.
Avalanche problem #2 – Wet slides
During this time of the year, wet activity is almost
always somewhat of a concern especially after any new snow. Today, lower elevations will again be
suspect. Stay out of terrain traps and
away from steep slopes as things start to warm.
Also, many higher elevations were not affected from heating on Friday
which means they are still waiting for their first period of heating which is
the time they’ll be the most sensitive.
Watch these slopes during any clearing that happens today.
Bottom Line:
The avalanche danger is MODERATE today on
slopes steeper than 35 degrees, with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. There is also a MODERATE
danger of damp to wet avalanches on steep, sun-exposed and lower elevation slopes
especially if we see more clearing then expected.
Mountain Weather:
Winds will blow in the moderate category from the south or
southeast. Temperatures will again be
unseasonably cool in the teens and low 20s.
We’ll see cloudy skies with occasional breaks and also chances for snow
flurries with minor accumulations possible.
Sunday will be fairly similar.
Announcements:
Here is a great link to a web site on avalanche beacon
information, created by a person who did independent research and testing of
avalanche beacons. http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/index.htm
There are several free
automated avalanche beacon practice areas open, including one at Canyons, one
on the by-pass road near Snowbird, one in the northwest corner of the lower lot
at Solitude, and one at Nobletts Trail head in the western Uintas. They are really easy to use, and well worth
stopping for a quick practice session.
Early birds and snow geeks can catch our 6AM report
at 364-1591.
Click here to check out our new online avalanche
encyclopedia.
Click HERE for a text
only version of the avalanche advisory.
To have this advisory automatically e-mailed to you each day, click HERE.
UDOT also has a highway avalanche control work
hotline for Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, and
Yesterday,
Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in
Please
report any backcountry snow and avalanche conditions. Call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, email [email protected] or fax 801-524-6301. The information in this advisory is from the
U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche
conditions and local variations always occur.
Drew
Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 Sunday morning. Thanks for calling.