Forecast: Salt Lake Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, November 13, 2020

The avalanche danger is MODERATE with a risk of triggering a wind slab on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Sluffing in the recent snow is also possible in the steepest terrain. Additionally, expect any new storm snow to be sensitive.

The avalanche danger will INCREASE overnight, with dangerous avalanche conditions expected by Saturday morning. Traumatic injury due to the early season conditions is likely with any - even minor - avalanche incident.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Special Announcements

PARK CITY AND CANYONS VILLAGE AT PARK CITY ARE CLOSED TO UPHILL TRAFFIC.

ALTA SKI AREA IS CLOSED TO ALL UPHILL TRAVEL FROM 4 PM TO 8 AM . THE ALBION BASIN SUMMER ROAD IS OPEN WITH ACCESS TO THE SUPREME AREA/CATHERINE'S AREA.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS EXIST.

Covid and the Backcountry - Even in the backcountry and in parking lots, please follow CDC guidelines like limiting group size and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people to protect yourself and others. More info HERE.

Taking risks - Be extra conservative to avoid the risk of accidents which can stress the capacity of our medical system.

Weather and Snow

Snowpack Summary: Above 9,000' there exists 1-2.5' feet of snow from storms this past week. This snow fell on bare ground, with warmer/dense snow down near the ground, and colder, low-density snow on top. Along many exposed ridges at the upper elevations, recent and fresh wind drifts can also be found. This photo provides a nice example of the snowpack in upper Big Cottonwood Canyon where there is currently about 2.5' of snow. (Photo: Ashley Grevelink)

Current Weather: Temperatures are in the low 20's F and southwest winds have increased overnight, averaging in the teens with gusts in the mid 20's mph. At 11,000' winds are gusting in the 50's mph.

For today, temperatures will rise into the low to mid 30's, with increasingly strong southwest/west winds gusting in the 30's mph at the mid-elevations and up to 70 mph along the upper-most ridges. Skies will turn from partly to mostly cloudy, and snow beginning late afternoon, with a few inches of snow possible by sunset. But then things really get going into the overnight hours!

Overnight and into Saturday: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Wasatch mountains from 3 PM today until 4 PM Saturday with heavy snow and very strong winds. Snowfall totals of 1.5 - 2' are forecasted by Saturday afternoon, with locally higher amounts (such as upper Little Cottonwood) possible.

Recent Avalanches

Apart from some minor sluffing in Wednesday's low-density snow, no new avalanches reported from the backcountry Thursday.

We received several excellent observations from Thursday from a variety of locations in the central Wasatch including Millcreek Canyon, two from Upper Big Cottonwood: Peak 10,420' and the Brighton Perimeter, and Cardiac Ridge along the LCC/BCC divide. It is worthwhile reading observations to get a sense of the existing snowpack prior to this weekend's strong storm system.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Increasingly strong southwest and westerly winds will create fresh wind drifts at the mid and upper elevations. Although these drifts are more likely to be found on leeward north and east aspects, strong winds can channel snow well down off of ridges and around terrain features, creating fresh wind drifts on any aspect. These drifts may be sensitive as they will be sitting on top of the existing cold/dry snow, creating a strong-over-weak snowpack structure.

Avoid slopes with obvious signs of wind-drifted snow, such as pillow-shaped slopes, cracking, and whoomphing. (Photo: Ashley Grevelink)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

In areas not impacted by the wind, sluffing in the existing cold/dry storm snow from this past week can still be expected in terrain approaching 40° and steeper. Although light snowfall is not forecasted to begin until late afternoon, if it does begin earlier or comes in heavier than expected, expect any storm snow to be sensitive.

Additional Information

There are a few things to remember:

Hitting rocks and stumps is a real danger. Don't end your season before it starts with an injury from hitting one of these obstacles.
Early season avalanches are a real possibility. It doesn't matter if you are hiking, hunting, skiing, etc., be prepared with rescue gear and a partner. Many people have died during early season snowstorms. Listen to our UAC podcast episode The Day of Madness in Little Cottonwood Canyon about a bad day in November 2011 when many avalanches were triggered, including a tragic fatality.
Ski resorts all have different uphill travel policies. These closed resorts that allow uphill travel can be great places to get in a little skiing especially in you know of a rock-free slope, but it should be treated as backcountry terrain. We will soon have an up to date resource on all the ski resorts individual policies.

Until more snow begins to fall, there are plenty of resources available to begin thinking about the season today:

Check out the free online avalanche course material and e-learning materials available.
Start looking at weather patterns in areas you plan to ski this upcoming winter. A full list of mountain weather stations can be found HERE.
Freshen up on how to read the forecast page.
Look over all of your gear and make sure everything is in good, working order.
Sign up for an avalanche class! Get it on the schedule early.

Bonus Material! Listen to our podcast on Early Season Essentials with Bo Torrey

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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