Forecast: Salt Lake Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Mark Staples on
Thursday morning, March 25, 2021

Today the avalanche danger is LOW and avalanche conditions are generally safe.

There could be a few isolated slabs of wind drifted snow from yesterday's northeast winds that could produce very small avalanches which would only be an issue in extreme terrain.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Yesterday's easterly winds moved some snow around but didn't make widespread slabs of wind drifted snow that would avalanche. In some places riding conditions were wrecked while in others the snow remained soft and ridable. Southerly facing slopes warmed enough to make the snow damp and they should have an ice crust this morning.

This morning temperatures are in the low teens F. Overall, winds are generally light. At ridgelines, they are blowing 10 mph and gusting to 15 mph from the southwest.

Today light snowfall should start mid to late morning. Winds will continue from the southwest and may increase a little. Temperatures will climb into the low 20s F. At lower elevations near trailheads, temperatures may only reach about 30 degrees F. During the day 2-4 inches of snow should accumulate with a similar amount falling tonight and a little more tomorrow.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday ski patrols and guides reported just a few shallow slabs of wind drifted snow that produced avalanches. These wind slabs were mostly shallow, small, and stubborn.

Check out Bruce Tremper's good observation from Mineral Fork describing the effect of these winds.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Most of the fresh drifts from yesterdays' east winds should be well bonded today, but a few could remain unstable today. These small wind slabs would only be a problem in extreme terrain where a fall could be deadly.

Otherwise, cloudy skies and below freezing temperatures will prevent heating that could cause wet snow avalanches. Some snow will fall today but not enough to cause any avalanche problems.

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

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