Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Monday morning, April 7, 2025
The snowpack is generally stable, and avalanche danger is LOW this morning, with normal caution advised. The primary concerns are wet snow on steep, sun-exposed slopes and lingering new snow instabilities in sheltered upper-elevation terrain.
Cloud cover and increasing winds throughout the day should help keep wet snow in check. However, during the early afternoon—when skies are clear and temperatures peak—strong sunshine may cause avalanche danger to rise to MODERATE on east, south, and west-facing slopes. In these areas, it could become possible for humans to trigger wet loose avalanches.
Remember, if the snow is becoming damp or unsupportable and you're seeing roller balls on any aspect or elevation, it's time to get out of there.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Motorized Users—Please consider taking this 5-minute survey to help researchers better understand avalanche education participation and safety preparedness. Responses are anonymous and confidential.
Weather and Snow
This morning, under clear skies, mountain temperatures range from the low 20s to low 30s °F. Winds are blowing from the west-northwest at 10–20 mph across most mid-elevations elevations. At the highest ridgelines, winds are slightly stronger from the northwest, averaging 20–25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
Today will be another beautiful day, starting with sunshine and increasing high clouds through the afternoon. Temperatures will warm quickly, climbing into the upper 40s and low 50s °F. Winds will shift to the west-southwest and gradually increase throughout the day. The gusty southwesterlies will build ahead of a passing trough, which will graze northern Utah this evening and overnight. While this system will briefly pause the warming trend, no measurable precipitation is expected. Expect winds at mid-elevation ridgelines to average 10–25 mph, with gusts into the 40s on the higher peaks.
Yesterday’s warmth and strong sunshine melted the snow surface on all sunny aspects and at lower elevations, leaving behind a stout crust this morning. That said, many people still found excellent riding and turning conditions on shady slopes at mid and upper elevations. Lingering soft snow is holding on in those areas—but each warm day chips away at it a little more.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported to the UAC, though there is evidence of a wet loose avalanche cycle on south, west, and some mid-elevation east-facing slopes, as seen in Dave's observation yesterday.
See the recent avalanche list HERE.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The snowpack is generally stable, and both natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely. Normal Caution is used when conditions are broadly safe and no specific avalanche problem dominates. While any avalanche type is possible, the most likely concerns are loose wet, loose dry, or shallow wind slab avalanches.
"Normal Caution" doesn't mean green light conditions. Continue to assess snow and weather as you travel—terrain choice matters, especially in isolated areas where you may encounter:
  1. Wet Snow: Wet avalanches become increasingly possible with direct sun and warming temperatures. Watch for warning signs like pinwheels and rollerballs. If the snow becomes wet, unsupportable, and unstable, avoid being on or beneath steep, sun-affected slopes.
  2. New Snow: Sluffing and shallow soft slabs may fail within different density layers in the recent storm snow. These avalanches could be 1–2 feet deep and up to 100 feet wide. Use slope cuts to test slopes before committing, and only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain.
  3. Wind-Drifted Snow: While recent winds have been light, always watch for slopes with fresh drifts of wind-blown snow. Rounded pillows that crack or collapse underfoot are clear signs of sensitive wind slabs and should be treated with caution.
  4. Cornices and Roof Avalanches: These also present a real danger today. Give both a wide berth—whether you’re above, below, or beside them.
General Announcements
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
Observations and Avalanches
Backcountry Emergency Procedures
SMS Notifications
Instagram
Facebook
Get Forecast Email
Previous Forecasts
Contact via email
Submit Observation
< Previous forecast