Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Tuesday morning, March 25, 2025

This morning, the overall avalanche danger is MODERATE, but it may increase to CONSIDERABLE on west, south, and east-facing slopes, as well as lower-elevation north-facing aspects, where wet snow avalanches are likely with daytime warming. This wet snow problem is a matter of timing, with the danger of these avalanches rising throughout the day. Steep gullies on south and west aspects will be the most likely spots for naturally triggered wet snow avalanches involving people.

The remaining aspects and elevations will have a MODERATE avalanche danger today, with stubborn human-triggered wind-drifted snow avalanches possible on steep slopes.

Start early, monitor for signs of warming, and exit solar slopes before they become unstable. Be ready to adjust your tour plan based on your observations today.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Wednesday, March 26 will be action-packed with two great events happening in Salt Lake and Park City! Join Craig Gordon at Park City Brewing at 6pm for a State of the Snowpack and look back at the low tide season we've had. RSVP here! Looking to travel light and fast through terrain, but still be safe? Join the UAC's Director Emeritus Chad Brackelsberg and guide Billy Hass at Chappell Brewing in Salt Lake for an engaging presentation and open discussion on smart packing strategies and the risks we take. Sign up here!

Weather and Snow

This morning, skies are clear, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s°F and a slight temperature inversion in some areas. A few trailheads dipped below freezing overnight, but not across the entire range. Winds are out of the northwest at 5-10 MPH, with gusts reaching the 20s at lower ridgelines and 15-20 MPH, gusting into the 30s, at the highest peaks.

Today, expect mostly sunny skies and warming temperatures, reaching the low to mid-50s°F in the mountains. The most notable change will be above-freezing temperatures potentially reaching higher peaks and ridges, especially later in the afternoon. Northwest winds will continue at 5-10 MPH, gusting to 20 MPH on lower ridgelines, and 5-15 MPH with gusts up to 25 MPH at the highest elevations. Winds should be strongest this morning, gradually decreasing through the day before shifting southeast by the afternoon.

Looking ahead, significant warming is expected through at least Wednesday or Thursday, with cooling to follow.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday in the Salt Lake area backcountry, there was only one reported skier-triggered avalanche—a wind-drifted soft slab, 8 inches deep and 20 feet wide, that released on a north-facing slope at 10,100' in Upper Days around 11 a.m., sympathetically triggering a second small slide on a convexity. Additionally, multiple observations and ski patrol reported wet-loose activity by the afternoon.

Upper Days avalanche - E/B

You can check out all recent observations and avalanches HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

The March sun is strong, and we’re entering a period of poor overnight refreezes. Regardless of air temperature or wind speed, expect wet loose avalanches, roof slides, and a gloppy snow surface on easterly, southerly, and westerly aspects, as well as low-elevation north-facing slopes.

With several days of poor refreeze ahead, larger wet slab avalanches are a growing concern. While it may not happen today, it should remain on our radar. These avalanches occur when meltwater percolates through a layered snowpack for the first time, particularly after multiple days of strong melting and no overnight refreeze. There are several layers within the snowpack where water could pool, making this a concern both today and in the coming days, though there is uncertainty around how quickly or severely this might develop.

New/Old interface 1-2' down (see artificial pooling in the photo below): This is the first layer likely to see pooling and is the most suspect for shallow wet slab avalanches by this afternoon.

Early March dust/crust/facet layer & Repeater or thinner areas: These layers will take longer to saturate, but they remain a concern as water moves through the snowpack, potentially leading to large, destructive wet snow avalanches.

Bottom line for wet avalanches:

Get out early and get home early. Avoid slopes above 35 degrees when the snow becomes wet and unable to support your weight. Warning signs include rollerballs, wet sluffs, small sluffs growing into larger slides, and cornices breaking. If you notice any of these, change aspects or head home. Even smaller slides can be dangerous in high-consequence terrain, so always plan a safe exit route.

Pooling on the new snow, old snow interface 1-2' down - Park City Ridgeline - Hardesty

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Today, any lingering wind drifts in will be more stubborn, allowing you to get farther onto a slope before they potentially break. This is a bigger concern in no-fall terrain like hanging snowfields and exposed gullies.

Use caution in steep terrain with drifted snow. Watch for signs of instability like cracking, collapsing, fresh cornice growth, or pillowy features. If you see any of these, avoid traveling on or beneath wind-loaded slopes. Cornices are growing larger and more likely to fail in high winds or warm temps—give them a wide berth.

Additional Information

What happened to the persistent weak layer (PWL)? We encourage you to take the time to read this blog post discussing the PWL and how it may return.

General Announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.

Observations and Avalanches

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