Skyline Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Evelyn Lees

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

A Special Avalanche Advisory has been issued for the mountains of northern and central Utah and the western Uintas. Dangerous avalanche conditions will persist today due to recent heavy snow and strong winds. Backcountry travelers should avoid travel on and below steep slopes.

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 CONSIDERABLE in all steep, wind drifted terrain and for cornice failure. CONSIDERABLE means natural avalanches are possible, and human triggered slides likely. Even a smaller slide has the potential to step down to deeper weak layers, resulting in a deep, dangerous slide. If the snow on steep, sunny slopes heats up, the danger on these slopes will rapidly increase. Out of the wind affected terrain, the avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes less steep than about 35 degrees.

Considerable avalanche danger ratings are tough because they put a lot of the assessment burden on YOU, the backcountry traveler. Training and experience are essential today. If uncomfortable with snowpack stability evaluation or conservative decision making, avoid avalanche terrain or head to the resorts.

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.