Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Monday morning, December 1, 2025

If you’re heading out today, keep your guard up on mid- and upper-elevation north-facing terrain above about 8,500 feet. Watch for fresh drifts of wind-blown snow and avoid slopes that hold old, weak faceted snow. The snowpack is thin, faceted in spots, and just starting to wake up for the season.

Like the saying goes, if there’s enough snow to ski or ride, there’s enough snow to slide. Even though the chance of a full burial is pretty low, the real risk is hitting shallow terrain where rocks, stumps, and any kind of fall could be serious. It’s early in the season, and terrain options are limited, so stay mindful of where you go.

Check out Trent's video describing what slopes to avoid HERE. And be sure to read our latest blog "A Classic Early-season Intermountain Snowpack"

Be sure to check the uphill travel policies at each resort. We’ll keep you posted as storms line up and the season starts to take shape.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Special Announcements

Avalanche Awareness Week starts December 1! We kick off the week with free community avalanche rescue and first aid practice at Sugarhouse Park on Monday, December 1 from 4 PM - 7 PM. Events are happening daily across the state to prepare you for winter and get you thinking about avalanche safety.

Find out about all our events HERE. And don't forget the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop is Saturday, December 6, with in-person and virtual options!

Just a few of the upcoming events this week:

Weather and Snow

This morning, skies are clear and the sun is coming out. The final few snowflakes from yesterday's small storm trickled off around midnight. Snow totals ended between 6-10 inches, with 0.35-1.0 inches of water. Winds have remained from the northwest since yesterday, blowing 5-10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph at the ridgetops and up to 35 mph at the highest ridgelines. Mountain temperatures are currently sitting in the upper single digits to low teens.

Today, we can expect sunny skies and temperatures climbing into the mid-20s F. Winds will continue from the west and northwest at 5 to 10 mph with gusts in the 20s across the upper elevations.

The next storm moves into northern Utah on Tuesday as a shortwave drops into the West. It looks a lot like the last system because there isn't much moisture with it, but colder air and a slower-moving setup should help bump up snow totals a little. High-res models show snow could start Tuesday morning, but the best snowfall lines up with the cold front late Tuesday into early Wednesday. Behind the front, northwest flow gives us a small but real chance for a bit of lake enhancement, which could push totals closer to a foot.

Hello winter.

Recent Avalanches

Mark White had a few solid takeaways from his lap in the Alta zone. He found 6 to 8 inches of light new snow, but the real story was how it landed: dirt on the sunny slopes and weak, faceted snow on the shady ones. Northwest winds were just strong enough to make the wind-touched north-facing slopes crack when he poked at them. He also pointed out that there isn’t quite enough of a slab to produce avalanches yet, but it’s a pretty fine line between not enough and too much. And since the only skiable terrain right now is the stuff that still holds old snow, those are the exact spots that could get touchy once we stack a bit more weather on top.

Cracking along Mark White's skis in the Alta Zone

Be sure to check out all observations HERE.

Additional Information

Like Trent said, it’s just not worth pushing yet. On shady mid and upper elevation slopes there’s about 5 to 12 inches of old faceted snow still hanging on. Those are really the only slopes anyone might even think about riding, but they’re also the spots most likely to slide. Anywhere that’s seen sun is basically bare ground with just a thin dusting on top (see image below).

We need more snow before travel is even close to safe on skis, a board, or sleds. For now, get your gear ready, make sure your beacon batteries are fresh, and run some yard drills to brush up on your skills for the season ahead.

General Announcements

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.

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Special Announcements

Weather and Snow

Recent Avalanches

Additional Information

General Announcements

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