Introduction: Good morning, this is Max
Forgensi with the 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. MLAC NEWS: We have started an observer page for
folks to send us their backcountry observations. Report what you see in your
backcountry travels HERE.
Please send us your reports on avalanches, ski conditions, road conditions,
snow pit profiles etc. Thanks! You can also report observations at
435-636-3363 The Friends of the Manti-La
Sal Avalanche Center, a partner with the USFS, would like to thank their
business supporters for their donations. They would like to thank: Grand River Electric, Moab
Desert Adventures, Canyon Voyages, Vertical Hydraulics, With Gaia Design and
Western Spirit for their support.
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General Conditions: We have snow and more snow is on
the way!!!!!!! Finally,
Mother Nature has turned her jet stream upon the La Sal Mountains and has
given us quite a dump in the past 36 hours…and its not over yet. 15” of snow has fallen in the past 24
hours at the Geyser Pass SNOTEL site.
1.70” of H20 has been associated with this snow since early Wednesday morning. 17” of snow has fallen up in Gold
Basin
Conditions have vastly improved in all areas in the past 24
hours. The road to the Geyser
Pass Trailhead was plowed yesterday, but the amount of snow and some strong
winds last night could have drifted the road in places. I would recommend chains and 4WD
today. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Occasional snow showers, mainly before 11am. High near 21. Southwest
wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of
precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. |
Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS):
in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
6:00 a.m. Temp (F) |
Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link) |
41” |
15.5/39 |
15.4 |
SNOW! |
Geyser Pass |
~ |
~ |
~ |
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|
143cm |
17/43 |
~ |
Expect more snow up high |
N/a |
N/a |
5.6 |
Winds out of
the SW at 17 gusts to 38 |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) Critical
values have been reached for snow depths and water content. Before this storm, there were places
that held little to no snow, mostly on South through West aspects below
treeline. Northerly aspects
above and below treeline will be where the most unstable snow will be
today. Transport winds out of the Southwest
currently will be increasing the load on these North-East aspects. On South through West aspects, the
snow pack structure on the ground was stable before this event and the
surface was a frozen melt freeze crust.
The storm temperature’s started out warm and has been getting colder
every hour since yesterday, which is good for stability. The interface between the crust
and the new snow will be the deciding factor when it comes to stability on
these aspects, and it looks like the new snow on these aspects have bonded
pretty well. The BOTTOM
LINE for today will be an avalanche danger of HIGH on North-East aspects and CONSIDERABLE on all other aspects at and above treeline. Be on the lookout for avalanches, shooting cracks,
wind-loading and whoomphing. These
will be the best indicators of instability for today. We need your observations! Call
435-636-3363 or use the link near the top of the page to get to the observers
page! Yes, DO IT! Take a look at a snow pit from our
tour on 01/15/06 here.
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