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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Sunday morning, January 10, 2021
The western Uinta snowpack is deceptively tricky... once triggered, today's avalanches will break deeper and wider than you might expect, resulting in a dangerous slide with severe consequences.
In the wind zone, at and above treeline, you'll find CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY on steep, wind drifted slopes. Steep terrain facing the north half of the compass, and particularly slopes with an easterly component to its aspect are most suspect and should be avoided.
Mid elevation slopes offer MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep, shady slopes.
Here's your exit strategy-
LOW avalanche danger is found on low elevation slopes, particularly those facing south, but snow cover is super thin.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
With great sadness I report Utah's first avalanche accident of the season which occurred in the backcountry terrain of Dutch Draw, on Friday. Our team, in partnership with Canyons Village snow safety, visited the site yesterday, assisting in the investigation and will report details as they become available. Of course, our hearts and collective energy go out to everyone involved, particularly to the friends and family of a 31 year old Clinton, Utah man who was tragically killed. A preliminary report is posted here.
If you're searching for an alternative to avoid dangerous backcountry conditions, well look no further. Thanks to the generous support of our local resorts, Ski Utah, and Backcountry, discount lift tickets are now available. Support the UAC while you ski at the resorts this season. Tickets are available here.
Weather and Snow
Nowcast-
Above the valley gunk, clear skies and fresh air await your arrival. And while yesterday's storm was a non-event, it did usher in a little colder air, dipping overnight low temperatures into the single digits where they hover early this morning. Along the high peaks, northeast winds blow 10-20 mph. Though there's no recent new snow to report, Tuesday's storm delivered a solid 10" of medium density snow and conditions look more encouraging out there as average snow depths creep into the three foot range. Remember to tread lightly, it's still low tide in the Uinta's and travel is sorta limited to road rides and grassy slopes.
Forecast-
Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the 30's. Winds remain light and northerly, blowing in the teens along the high ridges.
Futurecast-
High pressure builds for the upcoming work week with no big storms in sight.
Looking for real-time temps, snow, or wind?
Click here and then on the "western Uinta" tab for western Uinta specific, weather station network.
Recent Avalanches
Mark took a rip up the Mirror Lake Highway and discovered this natural avalanche from earlier in the week near Reids Peak. It fits the recent trend of slides failing on weak, midpack snow and reflects the type of avalanche we could still trigger today. Mark has a great trip report, advice, and insight posted here.
Looking for more avy info and trip reports? Well then, simply click here.
Remember.... solid decision making is paramount because our front-line health care workers are maxed out. So, let's collectively think about our decisions and the consequences that may have on others.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
This slide in Upper Humpy Basin triggered earlier this week broke 18-24"deep and 200' wide, in a steep rocky section where the snowpack is slightly shallower and weaker... this is the type of avalanche you could still trigger today.
The writing is on the wall and it's pretty clear we've got plenty of signs indicating the snowpack teeters on the edge. Booming collapses, shooting cracks, and the biggest sign of avalanches.... AVALANCHES!
So here's the deal- the snowpack is complex, we have a persistent weak layer in the mid portion of the pack, and this fragile structure experienced a rapid change earlier in the week when Tuesday's storm slammed down on it. Our snowpack needs a little time to get comfortable in its own skin.
Many slopes hang in the balance waiting for a trigger like us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath. This is the setup where we can trigger slides from the flats, low on the slope, from a distance, or from adjacent slopes. We don't need to be on the slope... just connected to it.
This is the kind of avalanche where we pull the entire log pile down on top of us, even if we're playing on low angle terrain.
But you don't have to ride blind... so, tweak small test slopes, looking for and listening to signs of unstable snow like whoomping sounds and sudden collapses of the snowpack or shooting cracks in front of your skis, board, or sled. And of course the biggest clue of all... recent avalanches, especially on the same types of slopes you wanna ride on.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Andy was on the south half of the range Friday and took a look at this recent slide initiated by a natural cornice fall. His great trip report is found here
Recent wind drifts settled and gained strength the past few days and have for the most part become quite relaxed. But as we know, the Uinta's are a big place and a few lingering wind drifts may break deeper and wider than you might expect. The ticket is to avoid pulling on the dogs tail. Steer clear of steep wind drifted slopes and terrain features like chutes and gullies which appear fat and rounded or sound hollow like a drum. And remember... our snowpack is super shallow and triggering even a small slide can take you for a body-bruising ride through rocks and stumps barely hidden under the thin snowpack.
Additional Information
Andy Nassetta moved the avalanche transceiver checkpoint down to it's winter home at the Nobletts Trailhead. Please make sure to swing by and make sure your avy gear is on your body, sending a signal, and functioning properly
I'll update this forecast by 7:00 AM tomorrow, Monday January 11th.
Your observations are import, so please let me know what you're seeing... click HERE and contribute to this amazing community based program
General Announcements
If you see or trigger an avalanche or just wanna let me know what you're seeing you can reach me directly at 801-231-2170 or [email protected]
The information in this forecast is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content.
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