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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Saturday morning, February 22, 2025
Recent storm snow gets a blast of warmth and strong spring sunshine today and that one-two punch may help reactivate several weak layers now buried deeply in our snowpack-
You'll find CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger today at and above treeline on slopes facing the north half of the compass. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY, especially in steep wind drifted terrain, and particularly on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. Once initiated, avalanches may break to older layers of snow, delivering a dangerously large slide that'll throw a curve ball at your day.
Lower elevation shady terrain offers MODERATE avalanche hazard and a more straightforward setup. Human triggered storm snow avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep wind drifted slopes.
The riding is firing and it's easy to have an absolute blast by avoiding avalanche terrain altogether. Wide open meadows and low angle slopes with no overhead hazard offer plenty of options and generally LOW avalanche danger.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Avalanche Bulletin
The Utah Avalanche Center is issuing a Special Avalanche Bulletin after a series of storms in the last week has left a thick blanket of snow at all elevations, creating excellent powder riding conditions while also elevating the backcountry avalanche danger. Don't let the fresh snow and sunshine influence your decision-making - avalanche conditions remain dangerous, and careful snowpack and terrain analysis are required for backcountry travel. Fortunately, there are great riding and travel conditions away from avalanche terrain on slopes less than 30° in steepness.
Weather and Snow
Nowcast- High pressure is building, delivering severe clear skies along with northerly winds blowing in the 20's near the high peaks. Temperatures are slightly inverted, registering in the teens near the trailheads and mid 20's with elevation gain. Eddie would go and so should you... riding that is... 'cause you'll be rewarded with a go anywhere base and five star snow!
Forecast- A stunning day is on tap with mostly sunny skies, while west and northwest winds blow in the 20's, and temperatures climb into the low 30's. A few clouds drift by late this afternoon as a weak system bumps through the region and overnight lows dip into the teens.
Futurecast- High and dry going into next week... a great time to stretch out for a big day or to work on your early spring tan. No significant storminess expected through the end of the month.
The western Uinta's are fat, white, and... simply stunning!
Recent Avalanches
This avalanche was triggered mid-slope yesterday in Chalk Creek, on a moderately steep, northwest facing treed run we generally think of as a safe option. This slide speaks to the tricky nature of our snowpack and some deceivingly strong snow underfoot, which overlays weaker, mid winter faceted layers. I'll swing by this zone today and take a closer look.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A couple days old, but most excellent beta from a local cat operator extraordinaire cutting a road in Upper Humpy Basin. These are the types of avalanches we can trigger today. Deep, wide, meaty, and packing a healthy punch.
Last weeks big dose of snow and water weight (40" snow with nearly 4" of SWE... colossal numbers for the western Uinta's) help aid in strengthening our snowpack and I suspect we're headed in the right direction. But here's where it gets tricky... while many slopes avalanched this past week, there's still plenty more waiting for us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath. There is no threading the needle. Persistent slab avalanches are unmanageable and the strategy is avoidance.

I refuse to be the guy in the wetsuit that looks like a seal. Eventually the apex predators move on and we'll be good to go... but now is not the time to roll the dice, 'cause a miscalculation produces a day ruining result. I'm simply avoiding the school of migrating white sharks that are feeding on steep, mid and upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Both new and older drifts linger on mid and upper elevation, leeward slopes, particularly those facing the north half of the compass. Today's drifts feel manageable to me but I remind myself that even a relatively small avalanche could get quickly out of hand if it steps-down or fails on weak, faceted snow now buried deeply in our snowpack, and that'll pack a bigger punch than you might expect. This is a straight-forward avalanche problem and easily avoided by seeking out wind sheltered terrain.
General Announcements
We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. In the meantime reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:
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. This forecast was issued on Saturday, February 22nd at 03:30 AM and expires 24 hours after it was issued.
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