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 Salt Lake Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Monday morning, October 6, 2025

Welcome to the start of the 2025–2026 winter season!

What a fall storm, snow up high and lots of rain down low. Many areas picked up 8–10" of snow and about 1.50" of snow water equivalent.

Thanks for checking the forecast! Stay tuned for updates as conditions change. Regular forecasts and danger ratings typically begin in late November or early December.

Remember, as soon as there’s snow on the ground, avalanche season has begun! If there’s enough snow to ski or ride, there’s enough snow to slide. A good reminder is the “day of madness” on November 13, 2011. Read more here and listen to the podcast to help us avoid repeating history.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

SAVE THE DATES!

Monday, November 1 - 18th Annual Professional Snow and Avalanche Workshop (PROSAW). The in-person session will be held at the Eccles Center Park City. 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060. - Information and tickets are available here.

Saturday, December 6 - 18th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW). This session will be held in-person at the Wasatch Jr High School Auditorium. 3750 S 3100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109. Information and tickets are available here.

Weather and Snow

Saturday, Oct. 4, was the second wettest day in Salt Lake City’s history, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Rainfall totaled 2.47" (2.61" storm total) in the Salt Lake City area. In the mountains, it brought the first real snowfall of the season.

Rough snowfall and snow water equivalent (SWE) totals from that storm include:

  • Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC): 8–12" snow / 1.60" SWE

  • Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC): 8–11" snow / 1.25" SWE

  • Ogden: 1" snow / 1–2" SWE

  • Provo: 1–8" snow / 1–1.75" SWE

Looking ahead, by Friday, moisture from the south and an incoming trough will bring widespread rain, especially in southern Utah, with a colder, showery pattern setting up for the weekend. Which could mean a bit more snow up high.

This series of storms could lay down our first weak layer of the season, though it’s too early to worry about that just yet. As you get out, take note of where the snow melts and where it sticks around. Snow that doesn’t melt could become a problem layer for future avalanches.

For now, it’s hardly worth getting your skis or board out, hiking boots will do. Snow depth across the Wasatch is generally under 10 inches, and the main hazard is hitting rocks or other ground obstacles.

Ad
Additional Information

It's never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:

  • Learn online. We have over 5 hours of free online learning at the Know Before You Go website
  • Check out the upcoming in-person Know Before You Go events HERE
  • Sign up for an on-snow class
  • Check out the UAC's education progression HERE
  • Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and updating the firmware if it is an electric version or getting your canister refilled if it's not electronic.
< Previous forecast