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Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Saturday morning, February 21, 2026

Heavy snowfall and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the Abajo Mountains and the avalanche danger is HIGH. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid being on or beneath steep slopes. You can trigger avalanches from a distance, including slopes that are above you.

The North Creek drainage is particularly hazardous as access crosses beneath numerous avalanche paths and it is impossible to avoid being under steep slopes. Consider other alternatives this weekend.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Avalanche Bulletin

Warning Times:
Saturday, February 21, 2026 6:00 AM MST – Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:00 AM MST

What:
The Utah Avalanche Center is warning of dangerous avalanche conditions across all Utah mountains this weekend. This week’s heavy snowfall and strong winds overloaded preexisting weak layers, creating a HIGH avalanche danger across the entire state. With improving weather moving in for the weekend, avalanche accidents are likely in the backcountry. There have already been two tragic avalanche fatalities this week, as well as several close calls and numerous backcountry avalanches reported.

Where:
The mountains of Utah and southeastern Idaho.

Impacts:
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry and will persist through the weekend. Natural avalanches are possible, and people are likely to trigger avalanches on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Dangerous and deadly avalanches can be triggered remotely (from a distance or from below). People leaving ski area boundaries are entering the backcountry where the same dangerous avalanche conditions exist.

Special Announcements

The UAC is deeply saddened to report two avalanche fatalities. The first occurred on Wednesday, February 18th in the Big Flat area of Snake Creek near Midway. A snowmobiler was caught, carried, and buried in an avalanche, and unfortunately, recovery efforts were unsuccessful. The second fatality occurred on Thursday, February 19th in the backcountry adjacent to Brighton Ski Resort. A girl skiing was caught, carried, and buried by an avalanche and did not survive. Our sincerest condolences are with all those impacted. The UAC is investigating both accident sites in partnership with local law enforcement.

Weather and Snow
NWS forecast for the Abajo Mountains.
Wind speed and direction on Abajo Peak.
Snow totals and temps at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals and temps at Camp Jackson (8858')
See all Abajo Observations here.
Additional Information
General Announcements
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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