Salt Lake Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Brett Kobernik

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

The avalanche danger is at Level 2 (Moderate) which means HUMAN TRIGGERED AVALANCHES ARE POSSIBLE! Carefully evaluate deeper weak layers in areas that had a thinner snowpack prior to last week. Approach areas with recent wind drifted snow with caution.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

OK people, we’re moving into a mostly Level 2 (Moderate) overall avalanche danger today BUT THIS IS NOT A LICENSE TO GO NUTS! You will be able to find avalanches today and keep in mind that many accidents occur with a Level 2 (Moderate) danger. Skies mostly cleared overnight and temperatures bottomed out at -16 F at 11,000’ last but since have rebounded to around -10 F. Winds have tapered off only gusting to around 10 mph along the mid elevation ridges and to 40 at the most exposed locations from the northwest. Only a trace of snow added up during Wednesday.

RECENT ACTIVITY

There was no significant avalanche activity reported from Wednesday. Backcountry observations included reports of stubborn wind slabs that were hard to get to move.

THREAT #1
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

I think the scariest thing out there for me right now is to stumble across an area where I might trigger an avalanche that breaks into deeper weak layers. I would pay special attention to the Brighton backcountry in the upper Snake Creek/Claytons/10420 region. I would also do my homework along the Park City Ridgeline in the Scott’s Peak, No Name, Monitors area. These areas appear to have the weakest underlying old snow that all our new snow is on top of. Regardless of where you are today, pay attention to any collapsing. Dig LOTS of holes to really check the variability of the snowpack structure. Closely analyze the grains around the rime crust and thoroughly test them for shearing and or propagation.

THREAT #2
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Lingering wind slabs still demand attention today. It appeared that these things were pretty stubborn on Wednesday but still approach them as if they might crack out on you.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

We’ll have partly cloudy skies with continued cold temperatures today. Highs will only get to around 10 degrees. Winds will be from the northwest and may pick up slightly from their currently fairly slow speeds. Friday and Saturday look pretty nice with high clouds and temperatures rebounding into the mid 20s. Southerly winds increase Saturday ahead of the next storm which could produce 6 to 12” as it looks right now.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please contact Alta Central (801-742-2033) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area - to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

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Wasatch Powderbird Guides flight plan.

Dawn Patrol Forecast Hotline, updated by 05:30: 888-999-4019 option 8.

Daily observations are frequently posted by 10 pm each evening.

Free UAC iPhone app from Canyon Sports.

Subscribe to the daily avalanche advisory e-mail click HERE.

UDOT canyon closures UDOT at (801) 975-4838

We appreciate all your avalanche and snow observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, or email to uac@utahavalanchecenter.org

Donate to your favorite non-profit – The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

We will update this forecast tomorrow morning. Thanks for calling.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.