Forecast: Salt Lake Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, December 29, 2023

The avalanche danger is LOW and normal caution is advised when traveling in avalanche terrain. Watch for sluffing in the dry/loose snow surface on steep shady slopes and in isolated areas at the mid and upper elevations, you may encounter shallow slabs of wind-drifted snow.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

This morning: temperatures are in the mid and upper 20's F and winds are from the west and light, only gusting to around 15 mph at the upper-most elevations.

Today: mostly sunny skies with temperatures rising into the 30's F. Winds will be from the southwest and remain light but will increase overnight and into Saturday.

General Outlook: The next chance for snow is 8-10 days out.

With sunshine, mild temperatures, and a supportable snowpack, travel is easy and the recrystallized snow at the surface (often called "recycled powder" or "square powder") provides decent riding conditions. (Photo Sean Zimmerman-Wall)

Recent Avalanches

Other than continued sluffing in the weak snow at the surface, no backcountry avalanches were reported from Thursday. On Wednesday, two shallow hard slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow released 6-12” deep on a layer of facets in the Provo area.

Miller Hill - Outside of the Snowbird Boundary - American Fork - 10,000’ - East Aspect - 12” deep - 50’ wide - ran 150’ (See video below)
East Provo Peak - South of Cascade Peak - 10,900’ - East Aspect - 6” deep - 30’ wide

Video: Sean Zimmerman-Wall - Snowbird Mountain Guides

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

The avalanche danger is low and applying normal caution when traveling in avalanche terrain is advised. Although avalanches are unlikely, they are not impossible. In isolated areas, you may encounter:

Shallow, soft, and hard slabs of wind-drifted snow along the highest ridgelines and some exposed mid-elevation terrain. These slabs are most common on north, east, and southwest-facing slopes. Soft slabs may exhibit shooting cracks and are typically sensitive to triggers. Hard slabs, however, can be smooth and round and might not release until you’re well onto the snow surface.
Long-running, loose, dry sluffs (see photo below) on steep, shady, wind-protected slopes as the snow surface continues to weaken.
A larger avalanche breaking down into faceted snow in steep, thin, rocky terrain on aspects facing northwest through east, and even southeast at the mid and upper elevations.

Remember that low danger is not the same as no danger. Read more about the Danger Ratings HERE.

General Announcements

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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.

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