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 Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Monday morning, January 2, 2023
HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER
Avoid all avalanche terrain which means slopes steeper than 30˚.
Avalanches can be triggered from a distance right now so avoid being below steep slopes where an avalanche could come down on top of you.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Avalanche Warning
* WHAT...The avalanche danger is HIGH across northern, central, southeast, and southwest Utah.
* WHERE...For most mountains in Utah and southeast Idaho, including the Wasatch Range, Bear River Range, Uinta Range, Manti-Skyline, Fish Lake Region, La Sal and Abajo Mountains of Southeastern Utah, Pavant Range, Tushar Range, and Cedar City area mountains.
* WHEN...In effect from 6AM MST this morning to 6AM MST Tuesday
* IMPACTS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely on many slopes and may be triggered at a distance. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Weather and Snow
Current Conditions: Wow. Storm totals for snow and water content are astonishing. Over 5 feet of snow has fallen since Wednesday in the Fairview Lakes zone. Farther south, totals are in the 3 foot range or a bit more. The Skyline picked up about another foot of snow in the last 24 hours. Temperatures have cooled to around 20˚F and the snow densities are much lighter now. The wind has been pretty light over the last 24 hours. It was from the east on Sunday and has switched back to the west this morning.
Mountain Weather: The storm is starting to taper off but we still have snowfall as of 7am. We'll see cloudy skies today with the chance for periods of light snow. Temperatures will be in the teens and wind will be light from the west northwest. It looks like clouds will hang around Tuesday with light snow flurries possible. Overall the weather pattern looks quite active over the long term. The next storm is shaping up for around Friday.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
It's real simple today. There was a preexisting sugary weak layer buried deep in the snowpack and we've just clobbered it with a ton of snow and water weight. All steep slopes are suspect no matter which direction they face.
This large amount of snow will be just what we needed to strengthen the buried Persistent Weak Layer from November but it will take a little time for everything to settle.
Long term; we should have a stable snowpack.
SHORT TERM; THE SNOWPACK IS UNSTABLE.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The new snow itself could be unstable. There was some natural avalanche activity noted on Saturday involving just the new snow. The only choice right now is to avoid being on or below any steep slope.
Additional Information
SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS
CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS
INSTAGRAM: SKYLINE_AVALANCHE
FACEBOOK: SKYLINE AVALANCHE
FORECAST EMAIL
PREVIOUS FORECASTS
General Announcements
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.
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >