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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Monday morning, February 3, 2025
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all mid and upper-elevation slopes, where human-triggered avalanches are likely to fail on a layer of weak, faceted snow now buried beneath the new snow and recent wind drifts. These avalanches could be 1'-3' deep and may be larger if they involve the facets near the ground.
Strong winds have created fresh wind drifts at mid and upper elevations. These drifts may break above you and can be avoided by traveling on lower-angle, less than 30° slopes out of the wind zone.
Steer clear of being on or under large overhanging cornices, as they may break back further than expected and potentially trigger an avalanche below.
At low elevations, avalanche danger is MODERATE due to the possibility of wet snow avalanches. This risk will increase throughout the day and into tomorrow as temperatures rise and remain above freezing. Pay attention to changing conditions; if the snow becomes wet, unsupportable, and unstable, it’s time to gain elevation.
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Weather and Snow
This morning, under partly cloudy skies, trailhead temperatures range from the low 40s to mid-30s °F, with the highest peaks in the upper 20s °F. Winds are out of the southwest, blowing in the 30s and gusting to 50+ MPH at mid-elevation ridgelines, while the highest ridgelines see winds in the high 40s, gusting over 80 MPH.
Storm totals from the weekend range from 7"–13" of snow, with 0.75"–1.54" of water.
A warm and windy pattern persists today. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, with temperatures climbing into the upper 40s and low 50s °F. Winds will stay strong from the southwest—blowing 25 MPH, gusting to 35 MPH at lower ridgelines, and 45 MPH, gusting up to 75 MPH at the highest ridgelines. Gusts over 80 MPH are possible, even at exposed 9,000' ridgelines.
A cold front will move through Wednesday morning, bringing a band of snow. Accumulations will be limited, with 0.33"–0.75" of water and 4"–9" of snow possible. A stronger system is on track to impact the area Friday into early Saturday.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, 14 avalanches were reported to the Utah Avalanche Center in the Salt Lake area mountains. Most were new or wind-drifted snow avalanches failing on near-surface facets. Several of these slides were initially triggered by cornices, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Ski resorts reported widespread wind slab activity, with explosives triggering stubborn slabs, while natural avalanches were also observed, particularly in wind-loaded terrain. At mid and lower elevations, reactive wet loose slides were observed, some gouging into old snow.
A video showing the large impressive natural in South Monitor Bowl - 4' deep and 1000' wide - a repeater slope - M. White
Check out all recent observations and avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Winds remain elevated, with gusts near 100 mph overnight, forming both soft and hard slabs of wind-drifted snow on all aspects and most elevations. These slabs sit on an old weak, sugary faceted snow surface in many areas and have not bonded well. Look for pillow-shaped deposits and avoid those areas. Shooting cracks, cornices, and collapsing are all signs of wind-drifted snow and indicate areas to avoid.
These drifts may be found lower off ridgelines than expected due to the high winds.
CORNICES should not be underestimated. Multiple reports of cornice-triggered avalanches were received over the last two days. Limit exposure to ridgelines near cornices and slopes below them, as a cornice fall could trigger a larger slab of wind-drifted snow or entrain significant snow onto the slope below.
Winds cranking off of the Reynolds Peak Ridgeline - Stauss
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
There are currently two buried weak layers in the snowpack. The first is a layer of buried near-surface facets formed during last week's cold, clear weather. This layer won't bond well to the newest snow or recent wind drifts, and sloughing and loose new snow avalanches are expected. This is the layer most of the avalanches we saw this weekend occurred on, and it will have the highest likelihood of triggering today.
The second layer is buried near the ground, formed in December and responsible for large avalanches, including two fatalities during the Holiday Avalanche Cycle. This layer is more likely to be triggered during any large loading events, with avalanches up to 1'-3' deep possible. The most likely places to trigger an avalanche on this buried facet layer are steep slopes with a thinner snowpack, rocky gully features, and areas that have previously avalanched, known as "repeater slopes." The avalanche page allows tracking of past avalanche cycles.
Read more about persistent weak layer avalanches HERE.
Avalanche Problem #3
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
With above-average temperatures today, be cautious of wet loose avalanches at mid and lower elevations, particularly in steep rocky gully features.
While these may not be large enough to bury you, combined with buried facets near the ground, there’s a small chance of a lower-elevation wet slab avalanche. Any dry snow avalanche that reaches wet snow will be larger and more dangerous. Signs that the snow surface is becoming wet include rollerballs, pinwheels, and the snow no longer being supportable.
The likelihood of triggering an avalanche within the wet snow will increase throughout the day as temperatures rise and into tomorrow if there’s no solid refreeze overnight.
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.
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