Special Avalanche Bulletin
What-
A Special Avalanche Advisory is issued for all mountain regions across Utah beginning Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22, as avalanche danger is expected to rise in the coming days.
When-
In effect from 6 AM MST Thursday to 6 AM MST Monday.
Where-
The mountains of Utah and southeastern Idaho.
Impacts-
Record-breaking warm temperatures will rapidly destabilize the snowpack across the state, increasing the likelihood of widespread, spontaneous, destructive wet avalanches. Wet avalanches could occur on all aspects and at all elevations, including places that typically stay colder this time of year. Avoid travel on and below steep slopes, including avalanche runout zones and terrain traps.
After a difficult week in February that included four avalanche fatalities, UAC forecasters will host a community debrief to discuss the conditions surrounding these accidents. We will review the weather and snowpack patterns, share observations from the field, and discuss lessons learned. This event will not be live but include time for questions and discussion, with the goal of learning together as a community. Please use the form below to submit questions for review-
Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiQYtJ7T-4mM2D-bm57JhHJR9kiFkC...
Nowcast - Clear skies and high pressure overhead deliver a slight temperature inversion this morning with the mercury registering in the upper 30's F° across mountain valley bottoms and mid 40's F° along the ridges. Winds blow from the west, gusting 20-30 mph near the high peaks.
Forecast - March Madness is in full court stride as a robust ridge of high pressure delivers abundant sunshine and very warm, early summer-like temperatures with highs soaring into the mid 60's F°. Westerly winds hum along in the 20's and 30's near the high peaks.
Futurecast - Sweltering heat through Saturday.
Travel Conditions - North and south side gates are open on HW150, plowed from the north to Whitney and from the south to Spring Canyon, and of course SR35 remains open over the pass. Solars are melted out up to 9,000' and many windward slopes are scoured and worked to the dirt. Acceptable riding is still found in upper elevation alpine terrain.
Local snow-pros, Dave and Johanna Kelly, found mostly fun riding in the Soapstone area yesterday. You can explore their detailed trip report here.
Peeling out naturally on Tuesday morning, this piece of east facing real estate in Upper Weber Canyon harbors very weak and well preserved January near surface facets and is similar to many slopes waiting to come to life. Thanks to snow-pro extraordinaire Trevor Katz for this great piece of info and all his insight and input this season. We 'preciate you Amigo!
Click below for any recent slides that have been observed, or for travel and condition reports from across the range.
