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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Monday morning, March 29, 2021
Most terrain has a generally LOW avalanche danger. However, areas of MODERATE danger exist across all upper-elevation terrain for the possibility of triggering a fresh slab of wind drifted snow. These wind slabs will be generally shallow and isolated to terrain features that allow for drifting snow to accumulate.
Always be on the lookout for wind drifted snow in the alpine and in extreme terrain. Think about the terrain you are traveling above today.
Slide-for-life: Many snow surfaces will be frozen solid this morning - falling in steep terrain and being unable to stop on hard, refrozen snow surface is a definite travel hazard.
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Weather and Snow
This morning, under broken skies the mountain temperatures range from the upper 20s to mid-30s °F. Winds have increased drastically overnight and become west southwesterly, currently averaging 15-30 mph at mid-elevations, with gusts up to 40 mph. At the upper elevations, winds are averaging 40-60 mph with gusts near 80 mph.
Today, a cold front will cross the area late this morning bringing very light snowfall, dropping temperatures, and high winds. The temperatures will remain in the upper 20s and mid-30s F until mid-morning where they will then fall into the mid-teens F. Winds will remain elevated, averaging 20-30 mph at mid-elevations with gusts up to 45 mph. At upper elevations, gusts will reach 80 mph. The snowfall should be relatively light, with a trace amount to 2 inches of accumulation.
High pressure will follow Tuesday with a warming trend beginning Wednesday.
The snow surface, on many aspects and elevations, became very damp yesterday. Overnight with the increased winds and dropping temperatures that damp snow surface will have refrozen into a very firm and icy riding surface. Hard icy conditions aren't an avalanche concern, but a hazard nonetheless in steep terrain where you wouldn't be able to stop if you fell. If traveling in areas with firm, and steep terrain consider carrying an ice axe and crampons. In areas of less consequence, watch for now frozen roller balls and wet-loose debris.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, as the sun heated the snow surface, we went through a widespread small wet avalanche cycle on slopes facing east through south through the west. In the area's protected from the sun, there continued to be reports of small slabs of wind drifted snow and even fast-moving dry loose avalanches.
As always, find all recent observations and avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Southwesterly winds increased overnight and formed fresh slabs of wind drifted snow which can be triggered today. This problem will mostly be a concern at upper elevation northerlies where cold snow available to transport actually still exists, but pay at attention to all upper elevation terrain features such as ridges, sub-ridges, and gullies as such high winds can transport snow onto almost any aspect. If a shallow wind drift does manage to form on top of the firm, refrozen snow surface, it will have a great bed surface to run fast and far.
These wind slabs will be small and relatively harmless in terrain with clean run-outs and/or where you won't be carried for hundreds of feet downhill. Remember that even a small avalanche in steep exposed terrain can have severe consequences if you're taken off your feet and carried over rocks and cliffs. Always be on the lookout and avoid the stiff/hollow sounding or pillowy and rounded snow.
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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