Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Wednesday morning, April 9, 2025

The snowpack is generally stable and the avalanche danger is LOW this morning. With strong sunshine and daytime warming, the danger could rise to MODERATE as the snow dampens on sunny steep slopes and possibly even on low to mid-elevation polar slopes. Stay off of and well away from overhanging cornices as they may break back much further than expected.

As always, practice safe travel protocols by exposing only one person at a time in avalanche terrain.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

You may still be able to find bits and pieces of cold snow in high northerly terrain but, for the most part, the snow surface is a mixed bag of variable spring conditions.

This morning, skies are partly cloudy, and mountain temperatures are hovering right around or just above freezing. Light winds at 9,000' are blowing from the northwest while 11,000' winds are blowing from the west-northwest in the 20s mph and gusting into the 30s mph.

For today, expect mostly to partly sunny skies with a 10,000' high around 41°F. A west to northwesterly flow aloft will remain in place with occasional high clouds and light to moderate winds. High pressure will build into the area tonight, remaining in place through the week.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches were reported to the UAC yesterday though we are still getting reports of recent wet activity from around the range.

Recent shallow point releases near White Baldy. (PC: Lucas Bauman)

See the recent avalanche list HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

The snowpack is generally stable this morning and natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely. The northwesterly flow, light to moderate winds, and not-too-hot temperatures should help keep wet activity in check today. Still, it is April and the sun is strong - if you start sinking into saturated snow above your ankles, it is time to move to a cooler aspect, elevation, or lower-angle terrain. Rollerballs and pinwheels are sure signs the snow is losing stability.

*Cornices are starting to calve off with the warm temperatures - stay off of and well away from overhanging cornices as they may break back further than expected.

Additional Information

Our regular daily avalanche forecasts will end this Sunday, April 13. After that, we will issue updates when necessary and publish public observations until May 1.

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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