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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Friday morning, February 23, 2024
The Uintas are phat, they're white, and the snow looks and feels good to go... but multiple weak layers exist and avy danger is tricky-
In mid and upper elevation terrain, you'll find CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY, especially on steep, rocky, wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass. Any slide triggered has the potential to fail on weaker layers of snow, now buried several feet deep. Once initiated, today's avalanches can easily boss you around, will most definitely roll you, and in some cases deliver a season ending blow.
In addition, several weak layers varying in thickness, strength, and deceptive personality lurk in the snowpack. Lower elevation shady slopes, along with sunny aspects near and above treeline is where you'll encounter MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered slides are POSSIBLE on steep slopes.
Here's your exit strategy-
You wanna avoid avalanches completely? Well, you came to the right place!
The Uintas have plenty of roly-poly, low elevation, low angle terrain, especially slopes facing the south half of the compass where you'll find LOW avalanche danger
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
We are seeking a passionate individual to join us as Executive Director of the nonprofit Utah Avalanche Center. Click here for more information.
Also... please join the UAC and Inspired Summit Adventures for the grand opening of our new Transceiver Training Park at Pinebrook, Sunday, February 25, from 3:00-6:00PM.
Weather and Snow
Nowcast- Severe clear skies abound, while a nearly full Snow Moon looms large overhead. West and northwest winds blowing 5-15 mph barely have enough juice to spin ridgetop anemometers while temperatures register in the the single digits and low teens. Yesterday's strong sunshine zapped lower elevation sunnies, and I received a few reports of hit or miss green-housing in a few locations. But I bet you'll still find cold snow and excellent riding conditions on mid and upper elevation shady slopes.
Forecast- Storminess takes a break and heads east, delivering blue skies smiling at me... nothing but blue skies do I see. Near the high peaks, winds blow in the teens from the west and northwest, while temperatures quickly rebound from this mornings deep freeze, climbing into the low and mid 30's by suppertime.
Futurecast- High pressure homesteads over the region through the weekend. A cold front clobbers northern Utah early Tuesday. More deets to follow, but I'd be getting my chores done before this one slides into the region.
Recent Avalanches
Triggered yesterday on a steep, northeast facing slope, above treeline in the wind zone, this slope has avalanched several times this season... it's a repeater.
The avalanche in the image above highlights a deceptively tricky trend of steep, rocky, wind loaded terrain where, with a thump in the right place or a cornice drop, you can still trigger an avalanche that breaks to old layers of faceted snow near the ground.
For all Uinta observations and recent avalanche activity click HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Follow the arrows and you'll find the slab. Winds blowing left (windward) to right (leeward) create very sensitive and unpredictable cornice, whilst whipping up drifts on the leeward side of ridges.
Though not quite as hair trigger, I suspect recent drifts continue reacting to our additional weight. Found mostly on the leeward side of mid and upper elevation ridges, I wouldn't be too surprised to find a drift or two around terrain features like chutes or gully walls. In any case, I'd continue to look for and avoid fat, rounded pieces of snow, especially if they sound hollow like a drum.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Recent new snow stacks up on a variety of old snow surfaces and is becoming more reactive as it settles into a cohesive storm slab. Marks highlights the setup above.
The new snow that piled up since early February is consolidating and may produce slab avalanches 1-3 feet deep. New snow slabs dot the landscape and will continue reacting to our additional weight today.
On shaded slopes, there is layer of buried surface hoar about 3 feet deep. It is not everywhere; however, Mark found it earlier this week in the Mill Hollow zone. We haven't gotten any reports of avalanches on this layer, but it's hard to ignore.
On sunny slopes, there is a thin layer of facets on top of a heat crust that was buried 12"-18" deep on Valentine's day. Recent avy activity has us considering it guilty until proven otherwise.
Avalanche Problem #3
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The mid-month close call in the image above that partially buried a rider, highlights the type of avalanche dragon we encounter in steep, rocky terrain. More deets HERE.
Even though the odds of triggering a monster avalanche have diminished, the consequences remain catastrophic. Common terrain theme and likely suspects are.... steep, rocky, north facing terrain with a thin, weak, snow pack and that includes slopes that have avalanched multiple times this year. You can trigger a deep, nasty slide from a thin portion of the snowpack like around a rock or bush, barely hidden under the snow.
Becoming more the exception of the rule, I wouldn't take my eyes of the prize... once triggered, these are season ending avalanches
Additional Information
The Uinta weather station network was upgraded this summer and all that real-time info is found HERE. Simply click on "western Uinta" tab and then "weather stations" tab.
We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. So... if you see something, say something. You can reach me directly at craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or 801-231-2170.
Also, if you're looking for more avy education opportunities for yourself, your crew, or your club please don't hesitate to reach out to me and we'll find a presentation, class, or clinic for ya!
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
Issued at 0400 on Friday, February 23rd this forecast will be updated by 0700 Saturday, February 24th, 2024.
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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