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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Mark Staples
Issued by Mark Staples on
Friday morning, March 13, 2020
Today the avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations and aspects. Cloudy skies will limit warming of the snowpack and any wet avalanche problems. Most old slabs of wind drifted snow have stabilized.
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Weather and Snow
This morning temperatures across most elevations are in the mid to upper 20s F with just a few clouds in the sky. Overnight winds calmed and began blowing from the south. They increased just a bit as of 4 a.m. but are only blowing 10 mph gusting to 15 mph even at the highest elevations.
Today skies will become increasingly cloudy as moisture comes up from southern Utah bringing only an inch or two of snow this afternoon. Another inch or two may fall overnight as well. Temperatures will warm into the 40s F at lower elevations again today, but not climb out of the upper 20s F at upper elevations. Winds should remain light but could switch a little more westerly this afternoon and increase slightly.
Dry powder can still be found above 9500 feet on north facing slopes. It's not deep but good riding conditions nonetheless. There were two good observations from Mark White and Bruce Tremper yesterday in White Pine.

Our Week in Review - where we summarize snow, weather, and avalanche activity over the past week, is available HERE.
Recent Avalanches
Despite very warm temperatures and strong sunshine yesterday there was almost no wet snow avalanche activity. A cool breeze limited heating of the snow to some degree. Also, the snowpack has been through multiple melt-freeze cycles and can handle the warm temperatures.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Description
Today there are few avalanche concerns. Old slabs of wind drifted snow are generally stable but always worth watching for. Some snow may fall today but with only an inch or two expected, that shouldn't cause any avalanche problems. Wet snow won't be any issue with cloudy skies and minimal sunshine to heat up the snowpack.
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.