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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Mark Staples
Issued by Mark Staples on
Wednesday morning, March 17, 2021
Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE on east, south, and west facing terrain where small wet loose avalanches will occur as the snow warms and becomes wet. On north facing terrain, the avalanche danger is LOW where avalanches are unlikely.
Even though avalanches today may be small, consider the terrain above and below you and assess the consequences of a slide.
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Weather and Snow
Yesterday had mostly cloudy skies but periods with the sun appeared. High temperatures ranged from 30-40 degrees F. Despite some impressive looking spring storms rolling though the area, only a trace of new snow fell yesterday afternoon.
This morning, temperatures are mostly in the low 20s F. Winds are blowing 5 mph gusting to 10 mph from the west at ridgelines and just a bit stronger at the highest elevations.
Today's strong sunshine will help temperatures warm up quickly and rise into the 30s and low 40s F. Winds will remain light and will shift to the north and then back to the west and then to the southwest. A decent storm should arrive Friday night and could bring a foot of snow.
There were 3-6 inches of new snow in most places yesterday morning and 10 inches along the Park City ridgeline. This new snow became wet on nearly all slopes except steeper north facing ones. There should be an ice crust on many slopes this morning but I expect that it will quickly melt.
Recent Avalanches
There were some small wet loose avalanches that happened yesterday like the one below in West Monitor along the Park City ridgeline. (photo - Chester)
Find all observations and reported avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
As the snow surface warms and becomes wet, some loose wet avalanches should occur. These slides should be confined to the top 6-10 inches of snow. They should happen predictably as you notice the snow warming and producing more rollerballs and pinwheels tumbling downhill. They can happen naturally or be human triggered.
Terrain determines the consequences of an avalanche. On wide open slopes with a clean runout, small, wet loose avalanches may not bury you but can twist and injury a knee or cause similar injuries. In terrain traps like gullies and creek bottoms, they can pile up deep enough to bury a person. In steep exposed terrain, these slides can cause a fall and the consequences would depend on what's below you.
Additional Information
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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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