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 remains CONSIDERABLE and human triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes above about 9,300’, especially those that had a pre-existing snowpack prior to last weekend’s storm that face northwest, north, northeast and east. Avalanches triggered in this type of terrain will be large and dangerous, pulling out much wider and deeper than you might expect.

At mid elevations a MODERATE avalanche danger exists in steep terrain facing the north half of the compass and human triggered avalanches are possible.

A LOW avalanche danger exists on most sun-exposed slopes and low elevation terrain.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Overnight, high pressure began to take control of our weather pattern producing clear skies, light winds and inverted temperatures. Currently northwest winds are blowing in the 5-15 mph range along the ridges, gusting into the mid 20’s near the high peaks. At 10,000’ it’s 15 degrees, 12 degrees at the trailheads and 1 degree at Lily Lake. Riding and turning conditions are best described as bottomless and challenging. With no real base to the snowpack it’s a wallow-fest and there are still plenty of stumps and rocks to slam into.

RECENT ACTIVITY

Yesterday Ted took a look at a snowmobile triggered slide on Double Hill which appeared to be initiated sometime Thursday. The avalanche was over 3’ deep, 300' wide, running over 400 vertical feet, failing on weak sugary snow near the ground. In other words… it ran to the dirt. Fortunately, it appears the rider came out unscathed.

Click here to view avalanche observations from Upper Weber Canyon.

THREAT #1

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 24 hours.

Last weekends big storm produced a widespread avalanche cycle in the western Uinta’s with much of our terrain avalanching naturally…. that’s the good news. The bad news is… many slopes hang in the balance waiting for a trigger to come along. The Double Hill slide didn't occur in steep radical terrain. It was triggered near the bottom of the slope on the flats. Yes, avalanche conditions are tricky and unpredictable right now. However, there are plenty of obvious clues screaming at us. People are still reporting huge, booming collapses and whoomphing sounds along with cracks shooting well out ahead of them and a general uneasiness about the snowpack.

Are avalanche conditions tricky out there right now? You bet. Can you still trigger deep, dangerous slides that run to the ground? Absolutely. Remember- our fragile, weak snowpack got walloped with dense heavy snow last weekend and the weak sugary facets near the ground, a persistent buried weak layer, are still having a hard time adjusting. In addition to the technical aspects of the snowpack, we’ve got the perfect “human factor” setup for an avalanche accident the next couple days- sunny skies, new snow and powder starved riders. Avalanches triggered today will be wider and deeper than you might expect, running to the ground, involving the entire winters snowpack. It’s a long season and you’ll need to practice some restraint and stick to the roads and meadows that aren’t connected to steep slopes above. Have some patience, let the snowpack heal and get after it when the time is right.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

High pressure strengthens across the region through the upcoming weekend, giving us clear skies, light winds and warming temperatures. Highs today at 8,000’ should reach into the mid 30’s and at 10,000’ near 30 degrees. Overnight lows dip into the mid teens. Looks like similar weather for Sunday and early Monday and then the next storm system impacts the area Monday night into Tuesday.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted. I will be update this forecast by 7:00 AM Sunday December 20th.

If you’re getting out and about and trigger an avalanche or see anything interesting please drop me an email at craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170

Also, now is a great time to schedule one of our free avalanche awareness presentations for your group or club. Email or call me and we’ll get you booked before things get too crazy.

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.