Friday, January 14, 2005

   Good morning, this Brett Kobernik with the Forest Service Utah
   Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather
   advisory.  Today is Friday, January 14, 2005, and its 7:30 in the
   morning.

   Current Conditions:

   Yesterday the winds blew for most of the day from the northwest
   averaging 20-30 mph with gusts near 50 easily transporting snow to lee
   slopes.  The winds are still blowing in the 20-30 mph range from the
   west but the stronger gusts have subsided somewhat.  Ridge top
   temperatures are in the teens.

   Avalanche Conditions:

   Large and deadly avalanches continued to release early Thursday
   morning.  Activity included at least four large natural avalanches,
   two avalanches from helicopter skiing test explosives, and
   a hand full of slides from resort control work.  All of these had a
   3-5 fracture line depths with the largest in West Monitor
   up to 9 feet deep in one section of the crown face.  One of these
   natural avlanches released in skier compacted terrain at one of the
   local ski areas.  These all released due to added weight from wind
   transported snow over the last 48 hours.  The avalanche activity is
   widespread enough to make most avalanche professionals nervous.

   I would expect the activity to slow down today but my own personal
   pucker factor will not let me toy with any steeper slopes until the
   avalanche activity stops.  I spoke to many people yesterday that
   agreed that the snowpack is gaining strength but not one of them would
   consider getting on the big slopes yet.  Its like playing with an
   armed nuclear bomb.  You can probably keep it from exploding but do
   you want to take the chance.

   Bottom Line (Salt Lake, Park City, Ogden and Provo mountains):

   A CONSIDERABLE danger still exists in the mountains today on steep
   north through southeast facing slopes especially in areas with fresh
   wind deposited snow.  Be sure to continue to stay off of and out from
   underneath steep slopes.  Although the chance of triggering a slide is
   decreasing, the consequences if you do are lethal.  Low angle slopes
   have excellent riding conditions and you can enjoy the day without
   constant worry that you may trigger an avalanche.     

   Mountain Weather:

   This morning well see partly cloudy skies with westerly winds near 30
   mph along the ridges.  Ridgetop temperatures will climb to around 20.
   This afternoon winds should decrease to around 20 mph.  A dirty ridge
   will affect the area through the weekend bringing mostly high clouds.
   Some light precipitation expected late Saturday through Sunday.
   Warming will occur early next week.