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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Evelyn Lees
Issued by Evelyn Lees for
Thursday, February 21, 2019
A MODERATE AVALANCHE DANGER exists at upper elevations for triggering a soft slab of wind drifted snow or a loose snow sluff. Avoid travel on and below the huge cornices. At mid and low elevations the danger is LOW, though there may be scattered wind drifts at the lower elevations near the canyon mouths.
  • There is a very isolated chance a person, cornice or smaller slide could trigger a slide breaking on facets near the ground, in thinner snowpack areas or slopes that have previously slide this winter.
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Special Announcements
The La Sals and the Abajos are about to get hit with another big storm, as are other parts of southern Utah where we don't issue avalanche forecasts, elevating the avalanche danger there, too. An Avalanche Warning has been issued for the Abajos. There are forecasts for the La Sals and Abajos HERE, and we do post obs from the mountains of southwest Utah. View them here or submit obs here.
Weather and Snow
The Wasatch will remain on the northern fringe of the storm, with cold temperatures and occasional snow showers producing another 1 to 3 inches of snow later today, and another few inches tonight. This morning’s temperatures are still flirting with zero, and will only warm into the 10 to 20 degree F range.
Winds shifted to the southeast and are very light at the mid to upper elevations, averaging 5 to 10 mph, with gusts barely to 20 mph. Speeds are a bit faster on the Park City ridge line, averages to 15 mph, gusting to 20 mph. Canyon mouths like Parleys, Weber, Provo and Ogden have gusts in the 20s, and average speeds are forecast to increase into the 20s today, with gusts in the 30s.
Recent Avalanches
A shallow soft wind slab was triggered near the top of Limber Pine - about 6” deep and 200’ wide, running about 1000’ vertical. The skier was able to ski off the slab to the side. A small wind slab was triggered by the 3rd person in Dutch draw.
Much appreciated info and video and photos from Andy Doris.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Wind slabs: Wind speeds are currently light, but there is nothing like easterly winds to keep us on our toes, drifting snow onto unexpected aspects and at lower elevations. In addition to any new wind drifts, there are some lingering soft drifts from the northwesterly winds that can still be triggered at the upper elevations. The best way to avoid these fresh slabs is to look for them and signs of new drifting - watch for plumes off ridge lines and blowing snow where you are, including as you drop in elevation. Wind drifts are often rounded, smooth, and feel denser or thicker than the surrounding snow. Wind speeds may pick up this afternoon and evening.
Sluffing - Some faceting seems to have occurred in recent days within the top foot of snow. Mark’s photo from Gobblers on Tuesday shows this layer, which may contribute to the snow sluffing easily on steep slopes today.
Cornices are HUGE! and breaking back much further than expected. However far you think you need to be back from the edge, take an extra several steps even further back. These yawning cracks may be hidden beneath the newest snow. Silver Fork headwall, Watson, Peterson photo.
Additional Information
So how awesome has February been? One way to see is looking at how much water was contained in the snow. Mark created this graph, and a whole blog with more details HERE.
The accident reports for the four avalanche fatalities are all finalized with some first-hand accounts and worth reading. We all have something to learn so that we can get home safely to our loved ones. List of all accidents found HERE.
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.
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