Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Tuesday morning, April 3, 2018

The avalanche danger is LOW with generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for and avoid any new drifts of wind blown snow. There are widespread icy crusts on most aspects and elevations - so be prepared for hard, “slide for life” conditions in steep terrain. Ice axes, crampons and ski crampons may be appropriate for steep objectives.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

The newest issue of the Powder Cloud, the newsletter of the Utah Avalanche Center, is hot off the digital presses. You can look at new and old issues of the Powder Cloud, other essays, and blogs in the menu above or click here.

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.

Weather and Snow

An angry inch it was.... This morning it's clear and cold with mountain temperatures bottoming out in the single digits at all stations across the range. Winds continue to blow from the north/northwest with speeds 10-15 mph gusting into the 20's across the exposed ridges. Upper elevation wind chill is -15°F. Don't forget your puffy coat. A trace to 3" of new snow fell with yesterday's cold front.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanche activity was reported from the backcountry yesterday. However, there was a report from the Silver Fork Headwall in upper Big Cottonwood Canyon submitted overnight. It seems to be a couple days old and the timing is unknown - looks like a cornice fell and triggered a slide 50-80' wide and up to 3' deep. HERE is the observation.

Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Wind slabs: Wind drifted snow is the headline news and will be your biggest concern for today. Strong winds and new snow have dotted the upper elevations with shallow wind drifts and sensitive wind slabs. These wind slabs will be small and either fail on the slick underlying crusts or possibly fail within a buried layer of preserved graupel on the northerly facing terrain. I would expect these to be sensitive to the weight of a rider this morning. Shallow drifts of wind blown snow can be very consequential if you're in extreme terrain where even a small avalanche can have disastrous consequences. Be on the lookout and avoid sensitive drifts of wind blown snow.

Heads up SLC: Provo and Timpanogos have a very different and a more dangerous snowpack. If you're thinking of heading to Provo make sure to get the forecast found HERE.

I really like this video below from professional skier Greg Hill explaining his strategy on changing conditions. This is especially true in the spring time where conditions change minute by minute.

Additional Information

It will be a spectacular day to be in the mountains today with sunny skies and cold temperatures. Northerly winds will remain brisk with speeds of 10-15 mph at upper elevations. Temperatures remain cold topping out in the upper 20's to low 30's at 9,000'. Tonight we will have increasing clouds under a west/southwest flow as a series of small weak bands ebb and flow over the mountains for the next few days. None of these bands look to be impressive. However, an inch here and there can really improve the riding. This weekends storm continues to look like a good chance of snow Saturday into Sunday. Monday looks to be a sunny powder day and might be a good day to call in sick.

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

The UAC has new support programs with Outdoor Research and Darn Tough. Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at Outdoor Research, REI, Backcountry.com, Darn Tough, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on eBay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your eBay account here and click on eBay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Next forecast >