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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Sunday morning, February 12, 2023
Overall, the avalanche danger rating is LOW as we generally have safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Under clear skies, the mountain temperatures range from 15-25 °F. Winds have finally relaxed and are blowing from the north at speeds of 5-10 mph with the occasional gust to 20 mph. As a closed low circulates by the California/Mexico border, it leaves us in no man's land, and as a result, we can expect a beautiful day with calm winds, some clouds, and no precipitation. Temperatures will climb into the mid and upper 30s °F this afternoon, and winds will remain from the north with speeds of 5-15 mph.
The wind and sun have taken their toll on the snow surface. Sun crusts on the sunnies are commonplace, and on the shadies you can expect stiff wind board on many upper elevation slopes and soft settled powder in the wind and sun-sheltered terrain.
What's the joke? "the skiing/riding is terrible, so it must be low danger?"
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanche activity was reported yesterday.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
This is not a specific avalanche problem. It is often used by UAC forecasters when avalanche conditions are generally safe and there is no predominant avalanche problem. Any avalanche type is possible, but the most common would be wind slab, loose wet, and loose dry avalanches, which would be expected to be small.

It's February, and the sun is getting stronger every day. If you find yourself in steep, sunlit terrain today, keep an eye on the snow surface. If you start seeing rollerballs or the snow becomes damp and unsupportable, it's time to get out of there or change your aspect to a cooler, more shady slope.
Additional Information
Just wanted to share a fun brain nugget to discuss on the drive or skin track. Did you know that when the avalanche danger rating is at EXTREME that at that danger level, it only accounts for 1% of avalanche fatalities and that the LOW danger rating accounts for 7% of avalanche fatalities? Why do you think this is the case?
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.