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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Wednesday morning, December 18, 2013

The majority of the terrain in the mountains has a LOW avalanche danger. A MODERATE avalanche danger still exists in terrain above 8000' on west through north through east facing slopes, especially in wind effected areas. Human triggered slab avalanches are still possible.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

UDOT WILL BE SIGHTING IN THEIR AVALAUNCHER IN BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON TODAY AT 11:30. THERE WILL BE A FEW MINUTE ROAD CLOSURE. PLEASE STAY CLEAR OF THE ROCKHOUSE AND MINERAL SLABS.

Donated Black Diamond Skis, a Voile splitboard, a BCA Tracker 2 transceiver, and an Outdoor Research down jacket, all new, are being auctioned on Ebay to benefit the Utah Avalanche Center and simplify your holiday shopping - go here to see the goods. Ends mid-day Wednesday.

Tyson Bradley will be speaking on Thursday, at the Wildflower at Snowbird as part of the Utah Adventure Journal Speaker Series. DETAILS

Weather and Snow

Overnight the temperatures were again mild in the low to mid 30s along the ridges. Winds have bumped slightly but still fairly light from the southwest. The snow surface is a mixed bag of sun and wind crusts, stout wind slabs, and of course loose faceting snow. Snow nerds will like this detailed look at the near surface faceting process from Greg Gagne

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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Chances continue to decrease for triggering a slab avalanche but even small avalanches could have fairly serious consequences due to thin snow cover with underlying rocks and stumps posing injury during a ride.

Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The snow surface as well as the entire snowpack in shallower location continues to turn into loose faceted, "sugary" snow. This is starting to sluff when disturbed on the steeper more sustained slopes. (photo - Mark White) It could pose a threat to people if someone were really in the wrong place at the wrong time but it's more of a sign of things to come.

Additional Information

We'll see partly cloudy skies and moderate speed southwest winds. Temperatures should get up into the upper 30s and low 40s in the mountains. The large splitting storm does look like it will give us a little refresher on Thursday with perhaps 6 inches of snow. Showers may linger Friday and another system will move through Saturday giving us another little shot of snow.

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)

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.

We'll soon be lining up a new automated emailed advisory delivery system - stay tuned.

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

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.

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