Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Sunday morning, January 19, 2025

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects at the mid-and upper elevations for fresh soft slabs of wind-drifted snow. Also, look for dry-loose avalanches in steep terrain where the low-density new snow could run fast and far, packing a punch.

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on mid and upper elevation aspects facing northwest through north and east where it is possible to trigger an avalanche failing in a buried persistent weak layer 2 to 4 feet deep.

Don't let powder fever cloud your judgment today. Human-triggered avalanches are possible.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Special Announcements

Join the UAC at Deer Valley on January 30th for the 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball Gala. The night will be full of fun including delicious cuisine, live music, an auction, and presentation by Bruce Tremper.

Please join UAC forecaster Craig Gordon on Tuesday, January 21st from 6:00-7:30 PM at Alpha Coffee in Cottonwood Heights for a State of the Snowpack presentation.

Weather and Snow

Snow totals vary depending on the location. Some areas of Upper Little Cottonwood received 20.5 inches of snow (0.97 inches of water), while others, not far away, received 4 inches of snow. However, most areas saw 4 to 10 inches of new snow and 0.25 to 0.68 inches of water.

Unfortunately, overnight, the wind picked up out of the northwest again and now blows at speeds of 10-15 mph with gusts into the 20s. Above 10,000 feet, the wind blows stronger from the northwest at 30-40 mph, gusting into the 40s. Bring a puffy coat today, as mountain temperatures are in the single digits across the range. Let's not forget the wind chill out there right now, ranging from -12 to -34 °F.

Today, we will remain under a cold northwest flow, and at times, there will be snow flurries depending on where you are. Snowfall is not expected to exceed a few inches of low-density snow. The skies will be partly cloudy, and you can't rule out some sunshine in some locations. Mountain temperatures will remain chilly, with daytime highs ranging from 15-18 °F.

Excellent riding conditions exist on almost all aspects and elevations. However, you will likely be bottom-feeding on steep, southerly-facing terrain (hitting the old sun crust). Lower angle south will be the ticket. On shady slopes, there is plenty of dry, cold powder snow.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday, one group reported intentionally triggering three soft slabs of wind-drifted snow on a north-facing slope at 8,700 feet. These soft slabs were roughly 2 feet deep and 40 feet wide (see photo). Link HERE

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

The northwest wind continues to be active, with plenty of low-density snow blowing around. Because of this, I would expect sensitive drifts of windblown snow across all mid- and upper elevations. These avalanches will be soft slabs of wind-drifted snow that could be extra sensitive because they either formed over a slick sun crust (sunny side) or our weak and faceted snow surface (shady side). These avalanches could be 1-2 feet deep (see recent activity).

On northerly facing terrain, any avalanche you trigger has the chance of stepping down into deeper weaker layers. Out of the wind, I would look for dry-loose avalanches in all steep terrain.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

It's only been two days since someone triggered a slab avalanche on our buried persistent weak layer. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we saw slab avalanches remotely triggered and human-triggered on this weak layer. I need more than a day or two of no avalanche activity before I trust this problem. I continue to avoid steep slopes on the shady side of the mountain (see locator rose). Yes, avalanches are becoming less likely on this layer, but the consequence remains deadly.

Photo: N. Grainger showing Dave Kelly looking at the human-triggered avalanche in Martha Bowl.

Additional Information

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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.

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