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 Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Friday morning, February 21, 2025
Our cold storm snow gets it's first blast of warmth and strong spring sunshine today and that combo may help reactivate several weak layers now buried deeply in the snowpack-
In mid and upper elevation terrain, especially in the windzone, at and above treeline on slopes facing the north half of the compass, you'll find CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger today. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY, especially in steep wind drifted terrain, and particularly on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. Once initiated, avalanches may break to older layers of snow, delivering a dangerously large slide that'll throw a curve ball at your day.
Lower elevation shady terrain offers MODERATE avalanche hazard and a more straightforward setup. Human triggered storm snow avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep wind drifted slopes.
The riding is firing and it's easy to have an absolute blast by avoiding avalanche terrain altogether. Meadow skipping, low elevation, low angle solar slopes with no overhead hazard offers plenty of options and generally LOW avalanche danger.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Avalanche Bulletin
The Utah Avalanche Center is issuing a Special Avalanche Bulletin after a series of storms in the last week has left a thick blanket of snow at all elevations, creating excellent powder riding conditions while also elevating the backcountry avalanche danger. Don't let the fresh snow and sunshine influence your decision-making - avalanche conditions remain dangerous, and careful snowpack and terrain analysis are required for backcountry travel. Fortunately, there are great riding and travel conditions away from avalanche terrain on slopes less than 30° in steepness.
Special Announcements
Help the University of Utah understand risk behavior in the backcountry by participating in a 15-minute survey. The U will compensate up to $30 for your time! Please note: responses will not be confidential but will be handled ethically under IRB guidelines
Weather and Snow
Nowcast- Skies are clearing in the wake of yesterday's storm that delivered just a couple inches of low density snow, which, with hardly a breath of wind, fell straight out of the sky. Current temperatures start the day in the teens near the ridges, and hover in the high 20's when you step out of yo rig at the trailheads. Eddie would go and so should you... riding that is... 'cause you'll be rewarded with a go anywhere base and five star snow!
Forecast- Look for a stunning day with mostly sunny skies, light northerly winds, and temperatures climbing into the upper 20's. Overnight lows dip into the teens.
Futurecast- High and dry going into the weekend... a great time to stretch out for a big day, or your to work on your early spring tan. No significant storminess for the next seven days.
Periscope up! Dan G using every tool available to navigate while navigating the submarine from inside the white room.
Recent Avalanches
Andy was out and about yesterday in upper elevation terrain in the wind zone, donning his avalanche hunter hat. He triggered this piece of snow tickling the slope in the right place, knocking the legs out from underneath, which delivered a legit and well connected hard slab that packed some heat, running further than expected.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Some most excellent beta from local cat operator extraordinaire cutting a road near Double Hill on the North Slope and seeing the reactive and slabby characteristics of our recent storm snow.
Last weeks big dose of snow and water weight (40" snow with nearly 4" of SWE... colossal numbers for the western Uinta's) help aid in strengthening our snowpack and I suspect we're headed in the right direction. But here's where it gets tricky... while many slopes avalanched this past week, there's still plenty more waiting for us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath. There is no threading the needle. Persistent slab avalanches are unmanageable and the strategy is avoidance.

I refuse to be the guy in the wetsuit that looks like a seal. Eventually the apex predators move on and we'll be good to go... but now is not the time to roll the dice, 'cause a miscalculation produces a day ruining result. I'm simply avoiding the school of migrating white sharks that are feeding on steep, mid and upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
24 hour wind run from Windy Peak (10,661') illustrates trends, velocity, and direction in the wind zone.
Southerly winds bumping into the 20's drifted yesterday's storm snow to leeward slopes facing the north half of the compass. Today's drifts feel manageable to me but I remind myself that even a relatively small avalanche could get quickly out of hand if it steps-down or fails on weak, faceted snow now buried deeply in our snowpack, and that'll pack a bigger punch than you might expect. This is a straight-forward avalanche problem and easily avoided by seeking out wind sheltered terrain.
General Announcements
We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. In the meantime reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:
  • Craig Gordon | Craig@utahavalanchecenter.org, 801-231-2170, or
  • Andrew Nassetta | Andy@utahavalanchecenter.org, 860-460-8142.
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. This forecast was issued on Friday, February 21st at 04:00 AM and expires 24 hours after it was issued.
< Previous forecast