Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Tuesday morning, December 9, 2025

Today, mid and upper-elevation steep slopes facing west through north and east have a MODERATE avalanche danger. Here, it will be possible to trigger an avalanche on the weak October and November facets, now buried 1 to 2 feet deep.

Across all upper elevations, there is also a MODERATE avalanche danger due to wind-drifted snow. Slopes that have recently been wind-loaded are the most suspect today, and extra caution is advised, as these drifts could step down deeper in the snowpack and trigger larger avalanches.

Most accidents happen after peak instability. Avalanche terrain can be avoided, and fun riding is still possible on lower-angled slopes.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

This morning, skies are mostly broken, and temperatures range from the mid-20s to low 30s F. Northwest winds are still elevated at 10 to 20 mph, with gusts in the 30s across most upper elevation sites. The free air at 11,000 feet is a different story, averaging 50 to 60 mph with gusts pushing close to 75 mph.

Today, skies will be partly sunny with a very small chance of snow as a system passes just north of us. We could see a trace of precipitation. Winds will hold steady from the west northwest, averaging 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph across upper elevation sites. The free air at 11,000 feet may continue to gust up to 65 mph. Mountain temperatures will climb into the upper 30s F around 8,500 feet.

Looking ahead, it stays dry Thursday through the weekend. A relatively weak trough may move in next Tuesday.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches were reported from the backcountry yesterday, but a few more trickled in from mid-storm on 12/6, including some solid photos from Cardiac Ridge and Powerline (see below). Most of these slides failed on northerly aspects where the heavy new snow overloaded the buried October and November faceted weak layer. During the storm, many slopes likely went through a natural avalanche cycle. Be sure to check all avalanche observations HERE.

Other parties continued to report cracking and collapsing.

Powerline avalanche in Cardiff (BCC) on NE aspect ~9800'. Looks to be a couple of days old and perhaps a natural. (Photo: S.Zimmerman-Wall)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

A persistent weak layer of October and November facets makes up the base of the snowpack on north-facing slopes at mid and upper elevations. In these areas, it is still possible to trigger an avalanche up to about 2 feet deep and over 100 feet wide.

This setup was obvious over the weekend, with widespread avalanche activity and plenty of red flags. As we move farther from the loading event, those signs may be less obvious, but the structure has not changed. Sensitivity and overall likelihood are slowly dropping, but the consequences remain high.

This problem extends across both mid and upper elevations, and both deserve caution. Upper elevation slopes remain the most suspect because they received the most snow and have the most connected weak layer.

On Sunday, I went to look at the slide Trent and Brooke remotely triggered on December 6. It broke about 1 to 2 feet deep, ran close to 200 feet wide, and carried enough force to easily bury or injure someone. See video BELOW.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Northwest winds have been cranking for days. In some places they have scoured the surface, but in others they are drifting snow and building both fresh soft and hard slabs. Watch for slopes that are loading or have that rounded, pillow look. Cracking under your feet, a hollow feel, or stiff chalky snow are all signs of new wind drifts to avoid.

The longer the winds blow, the more supportive these slabs become, which means you can get farther out onto the slope before they break.

Where these drifts sit on top of a weak layer of facets, it does not take much to overload the structure. Even a small drift can step down into the weak faceted snow, triggering a much deeper and more dangerous avalanche.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures