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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Tuesday morning, January 14, 2014

A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger remains. Human triggered avalanches are likely on slopes approaching 35 degrees in steepness above 8500 feet and most pronounced on northwest through east facing slopes. The danger is more scattered and pockety but still exists on west facing slopes as well as southeast facing slopes. Although the peak of avalanche instability has passed, this is accident weather with lingering danger and nice weather to lure us in.

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Weather and Snow

Skies cleared out and overnight mountain temperatures were in the upper teens and low 20s. Westerly winds are gradually shifting more to the north and still strong along the most exposed locations. Mid elevation ridges are seeing slower speeds compared to yesterday. It sounds like the minor rime event from yesterday morning didn't harm riding conditions with a number of people noting pleasurable turning on Monday.

Recent Avalanches

A couple of sizeable avalanches breaking into old weak faceted snow were reported on Monday. They released near the end of the storm on Sunday. They were in Alexander Basin and Farmington Canyon. Details are vague from Alexander but the Farmington avalanche was around 400 feet wide and over 2 feet deep. (DETAILS)

There was also a massive avalanche triggered by snowmobilers in the Logan area (photo) on Monday which caught and fully buried an 18 year old male. He was not wearing an avalanche beacon and just by pure chance his gloved hand was visible on the surface. He was dug up and resuscitated. (DETAILS)

Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

With the recent new snow and prolonged winds, some slopes have a dangerous slab that has formed over our buried weak faceted snow and is just waiting for a trigger like a person. Some slopes do not have a significant new load. We've also thrown in some rime/rain crusts that are now buried and may have some associated weakness. We don't know the extent of any weakness around these crusts yet.

There are too many 'ifs' for me to feel comfortable riding big steep slopes today. I will spend some time wandering around and seeing the extent of the natural avalanche activity from the storm. I'll compare how much new snow was added from place to place. I will let everything settle for some time. I can't enjoy the riding if I feel like I need to look over my shoulder all the time. I know there is plenty of weak snow around under the new slab. I'll let it be and come back another time.

Be careful of the nice weather out there today and look for 'human factor' red flags within your group like a person who is too excited about the new snow. We see lots of accidents with situations like we have right now.

Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Wet avalanching is not exactly the correct category but people should be aware that the new snow is going to see sun for the first time today along with warming temperatures. Watch the sunny slopes as they become damp and perhaps produce some rollerballs or pinwheeling which shows the snow is starting to become unstable. The warming may be enough to loosen up some of the recent wind drifts.

Additional Information

Sun, warming temperatures and continued northwest winds along the highest peaks is in store for today. Winds will be much more pleasant along the mid elevation ridges with moderate speeds there. Ridgetop temperatures will get into the mid to upper 20s. A ridge of high pressure will bring mild weather through the week.

General Announcements

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort Dispatch (435-615-3322)

Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123).

Sundance Dispatch (801-231-4150)

EMAIL ADVISORY Get the Salt Lake avalanche advisory emailed to you every morning. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

DAWN PATROL Hotline updated daily by 5-530am - 888-999-4019 option 8.

Twitter Updates for your mobile phone - DETAILS

UDOT canyon closures: LINK TO UDOT

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.uned.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day. They'll be up and running later this winter -

Lost or Found something in the backcountry? - http://nolofo.com/

Discount lift tickets are now available at Backcountry.com - Thanks to Ski Utah and the Utah Resorts. All proceeds go towards paying for Utah Avalanche Center avalanche and mountain weather advisories.

To those skinning uphill at resorts: it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel. Some allow uphill travel and have guidelines, some don't. Contact the Ski Patrol at each resort for details. IMPORTANT: Before skinning at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol. Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

Ski Utah mobile snow updates:
http://www.skiutah.com/get-mobile-snow-updates/

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