Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, January 31, 2025

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE on upper-elevation slopes as increasing winds will create sensitive soft slabs of wind-drifted snow on aspects facing northwest, through east, and southeast.

The avalanche danger is expected to rise by Saturday, with heavy snowfall and strong winds forecast for this weekend.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Avalanche Watch

What

Heavy snowfall and drifting by strong winds will elevate the backcountry avalanche danger over the weekend. Very dangerous conditions and HIGH avalanche danger are expected to develop in many areas.

When

In effect from 6am MST this morning to 6am MST Saturday

Where

For the mountains of Northern Utah and Southeast Idaho, including the Wasatch Range, Bear River Range, and Uinta Mountains.

Impacts

This weekend, heavy snow and strong winds will overload widespread weak surface snow and elevate the avalanche danger. Dangerous human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely. People should avoid travel in backcountry avalanche terrain and avoid avalanche runouts. Stay off of and out from underneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Special Announcements

Check out this insightful blog by Paige and Jeremy where they break down the complexities of Persistent Weak Layer (PWL) avalanches, why thin and rocky areas are especially dangerous, and how to manage the risks effectively in the backcountry.

Understanding the Risk of Persistent Weak Layer Avalanches

Weather and Snow

This Morning: Skies are clear and temperatures are in the mid 20's F with light winds from the west, gusting into the teens through 10,500' and 20's mph at 11,000'.

Today: Skies will cloud up this afternoon with temperatures rising into the low and mid 30's F. Winds will be from the west/southwest and increasing throughout the day, gusting to near 30 mph through 10,500' and near 50 mph at 11,000'

This Weekend: The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the mountains of northern Utah, with heavy snow expected to develop overnight and into Saturday, lasting through at least Monday. Rising temperatures with 1-2 feet of heavy, dense snow accompanied by strong winds are possible by Sunday.

Nikki's Week in Review is available. Be sure to include this valuable resource as part of your regular planning for backcountry travel.

Recent Avalanches

A small, fresh avalanche in Days Fork that was likely remotely-triggered was found on Thursday. This avalanche failed in facets down near the ground on a slope that previously avalanched in early January. Although this avalanche was small, it indicates the sensitivity of the weak facets that are present in the snowpack on northerly aspects.

Find all avalanches from the past few days on the observations and avalanche page.

Observations and Avalanches

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Increasing winds from the west will create fresh wind drifts at the upper elevations. Wind drifts may be sensitive as they will form on top of weak, faceted snow at the surface of the snowpack on slopes facing north through east and southeast.

On Thursday, Mark Johnston and I were finding widespread weak snow at the surface of many slopes. This is likely going to be a weak layer with any fresh wind drifts and storm snow. I describe what we saw in this video:

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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

Backcountry Emergency Procedures