Avalanche Reports Begin
With the first winter storm behind us now and light snow still falling, Bridger Teton National Forest announced that they resumed reports on the Backcountry Avalanche Hazard & Weather Forecast Center on Friday. The mountain weather and avalanche hazard reports are available at jhavalanche.org, or by calling 733-2664. Forecaster Bob Comey says morning forecasts, referred to as “now-casts” are posted by 7:00 am, and the information is updated in an evening advisory around 5:00 pm which includes a regional summary. In addition to the ongoing avalanche hazard advisory, the forecasting service also provides a weekly snowpack summary. Comey says the recent storm has dumped snow on top of encrusted snow from the October storm which has made for a moderate risk. However, he quickly points out that Utah saw an avalanche fatality over the weekend in the area of the still-closed Sunbird Ski Resort and a serious avalanche-related injury at Alta, Utah. Comey says those involved in the Bridger Teton Avalanche Hazard and Weather Forecasting Center are always trying to improve the available services provided, and he is hoping in the near future to link the forecasting service to social media as a way to improve contact with the public.
