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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Greg Gagne
Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, March 19, 2021
The avalanche danger is Low, but avalanches involving wet snow and small wind drifts along upper elevation ridges as well as mid and upper northerly aspects may be encountered. The Spring season typically delivers the most rapid changes in weather and avalanche conditions can change quickly. Watch for any sudden changes in the snowpack, such as if it becomes wet and unsupportable or you find sensitive wind drifts.
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Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow
Currently: Skies are clear and temperatures are in the upper 20's and low 30's F. Winds are from the south and gusty. At mid-elevations winds are averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's and 30's mph. At the upper elevations, winds are averaging in the 20's with gusts in the 40's and 50's mph.
Today: Clear skies and temperatures warming into the 30's and 40's F. The south/southwest winds will remain moderate with stronger gusts. At the mid-elevations, winds will average in the teens and 20's, gusting into the 30's mph. Along the uppermost ridges, winds will average in the 30's with gusts in the 50's mph.
Overnight and Saturday: Stronger winds from the south/southwest ahead of a cold front which should enter the Wasatch early Saturday morning. We are expecting decent water amounts (in excess of an inch) with snow totals by later Saturday of around a foot, with locally higher amounts in areas favored by a northwest flow. Additional snow on Sunday. Further ahead, the first full week of Spring looks perfect - cold and unsettled.
Recent Avalanches
Only minimal avalanche activity was reported from Thursday, including minor wet-loose and a few small wind drifts in the alpine zones of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Our Week in Review - where we highlight significant snow and avalanche activity from this past week has been published.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
As the saying goes, "Low Danger doesn't mean No Danger", and small avalanches in isolated areas are possible. This includes:
Wet Snow Avalanches - The snowpack has adjusted to the recent warmup and despite the warm temperatures overnight, there should be a decent refreeze this morning. I also think today's winds will help keep the snow surface cool. But (there's always a but) today's strong sun and warm temperatures will make it possible for both natural and human-triggered small, wet-loose avalanches. This includes northerly aspects, especially at the low and mid-elevations. Also pay attention to McKinley Talty's observation near Box Elder from Wednesday where they found some water pooling near an ice crust, creating a possible structure for a wet slab avalanche. It's time to move off of a steep slope once the snow becomes wet and unsupportable.
Wind Drifts - Southerly winds will be moderate to strong today and you may find pockets of fresh wind drifts along upper elevation ridges and well as on northerly aspects at the mid and upper elevations. There is not much loose snow available for these southerly winds to transport, so any drifts should be small. But getting caught in even a small wind drift in steep and complicated terrain can be consequential, such as Sunday's accident on the Pfeifferhorn
Additional Information
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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.