UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon for
Saturday, October 29, 2022
The mid week storm whipped up a few fresh drifts that may still react to our additional weight today. While not particularly widespread and becoming comfortable in their own skin, if your travels take you into the high country for one last hike before winter really gets going, you'll definitely want to avoid stomping around on steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass. Remember... even a small wind drift can pack a hefty punch and knock you into a group of trees or rake you through a rock band. And yes... that'll instantly ruin your day.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
SAVE THE DATE and TAKE A DATE-
Grab your riding posse and sign up for the 15th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW). It's two nights of solid avy education, delivered by a remarkable group of presenters, all delivered virtually to the comfort of your own home... November 2nd and 9th. Sign up and get more info for the first session HERE and the second session HERE.
The Avalanche Professional and Ski Patrol Snow and Avalanche Workshop (PROSAW) will be during the day of November 7th. Sign up and get more info HERE.
Additional Training Opportunities-
It's never to early to start thinking about avalanches. A few things to consider doing:
Attend USAW and learn more about avalanches and decision making.
Sign up for an avalanche class.
Take the online courses listed on the KBYG website (Develop skills -> Online Learning).
Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and update the firmware if it is an electric version.
Weather and Snow
Pastcast- A nice shot of snow developed midmorning Wednesday, quickly stacking up 6"-8" across the range. West and southwest winds were busy at work blowing in the 30's, forming fresh, sensitive drifts that have settled out nicely and probably won't be quite as reactive to our additional weight today.
Forecast- A thin band of clouds drifts over the region early this morning, keeping a lid on overnight low temperatures which hover in the teens and upper 20's. Winds are light and southerly, blowing just 5-10 mph even along the high peaks. A nice weekend is on tap with skies clearing as the day progresses, light winds, and temperatures climbing into the upper 30's.
Furturecast- Expect a lull in the action through Tuesday, with a good looking storm lining up to crash into the mountains late Wednesday. I'll keep you updated as details get sifted through.
Current snow depths in upper elevation terrain average just about a foot in depth. A bit vertically challenged, but the pack's got encouraging structure and solid body, which is a good look for this time of year.
Not exactly living up to its rugged reputation, a 24 hour data dump from Windy Peak (10,662'), reveals winds hardly spinning anemometer propellors... blowing just 5-10 mph along the high ridges.
There's barely enough snow to move around on, but early season roadside attractions like Murdock Bowl off the Mirror Lake Highway or Wolf Creek Bowl along Highway 35 and Wolf Creek Pass are easy grabs... right? Of course they are... that's what makes them so appealing! Even though it might not seem like there's enough snow to avalanche, today you'll want to avoid any steep, wind drifted slope. And remember- even a small wind drift packs enough punch to knock you off your feet and may result in a season ending injury if you slam into a stump, rock, or deadfall barely hidden under the shallow snow.

Recent Avalanches
No recent avy activity to report
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Additional Information
Yup, we've been super busy this summer upgrading the western Uinta weather station network and this real-time info is found HERE (there's some early season hoops to jump through, but please be patient with the prompts, click weather stations, and then on Western Uinta tab)
Your observations are important, so please let me know what you're seeing... click HERE and contribute to this amazing community based program
General Announcements
Issued at 03:53 on Saturday October 29th, this information expires 24 hours after the date and time posted.
I will update this forecast as conditions change and then once winter kicks into gear you can expect the usual daily forecasts issued by 07:00... or perhaps earlier :)
Before it gets too crazy, now is the time to book an avalanche awareness presentation for your group, club, or posse. You can reach me directly at 801-231-2170 or [email protected]
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.