Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Mark Staples
Issued by Mark Staples on
Wednesday morning, February 16, 2022
Today's snowfall won't change the avalanche danger which remains LOW. Avalanche conditions are generally safe and human triggered slides are unlikely.
By the end of the day, if a few more inches of snow accumulate and north winds increase, you could find a few very small and very shallow slabs of wind drifted snow in isolated locations that could slide.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
Currently: It's beautiful to see some snowfall no matter how little. As of 5 a.m. an inch of snow has fallen. Temperatures are in the low 20s F at many trailheads and mid to low teens F at ridgelines. Winds from the west are averaging 4-8 mph gusting to 15 mph.
Today: Snowfall will continue today and end tonight with another few inches accumulating....maybe 4 inches total if we're lucky. Winds will shift direction and come from the north this afternoon bringing cold air that will prevent temperatures from warming any today. Expect mountain temperatures to remain in the teens F. Winds will increase this afternoon and blow 20 mph.
Looking ahead: The rest of the week and weekend will have dry and cool weather. Another storm should arrive late Sunday night or early Monday morning. This one looks more promising.
Today's snow is capping a wide variety of snow surfaces which will determine future avalanche conditions as more new snow accumulates. There is an incredible amount of variability in the old snow surface which consists of weak facets, crusts of varying thicknesses and hardnesses, wind eroded and sculped snow, and some areas are simply covered in tracks.
Yesterday Drew was on Reynolds peak and provided a good summary of snow surface conditions in his observation HERE. Two regular observers on Monday on the PC Ridgeline and in White Pine also gave good summaries of similar findings.
The challenge in the future is that having such a wide variety of snow surfaces means there will be a wide variety of stability from slope to slope and the pattern will be complex and tricky to map.
Recent Avalanches
There have been no avalanches reported
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
If several inches of snow accumulate today and north winds increase later today, there could be a few, very small drifts at upper elevations that could break and avalanche. However these would be a few inches deep and tens of feet wide at the most.
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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
Instagram
Facebook
Get Forecast Email
Previous Forecasts
Contact via email
Submit Observation
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >