UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Thursday morning, April 11, 2019
Dry snow avalanches-
In upper elevation terrain, especially in the wind zone at and above treeline, you'll find CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY in steep, leeward terrain on all quadrants of the compass. While not as widespread, winds got into mid elevation terrain and you'll find MODERATE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep, wind drifted slopes.
Wet snow avalanches-
If the sun comes out for any length of time, the danger of wet avalanches may quickly rise to MODERATE on steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Thank you to everyone who supported our spring fundraiser. We reach and exceeded our goals. The UAC could not exist without your support.
Sunday, April 14th will be the last of our regularly scheduled Uinta forecasts.
Weather and Snow
Not quite a "bomb cyclone", but wow... what a North Slope-centric storm! For a few extra bucks, yesterday's storm system stepped it up a notch, ordered the super-sized version, and then lit up the north half of the range with just over 24" of snow and 2" of H2O. Storm totals diminish the further south you move through the range, but still offer a respectable coat of white paint with 18" stacking up in the high country. Even the trailheads got in on the action with nearly 12" of fresh snow. This morning, clouds hang over the region and temperatures are in the teens. Along the high ridges northerly winds crank in the 30's and 40's delivering wind chill values below zero. On a go anywhere base, riding and turning conditions are about as good as they get, especially in wind sheltered terrain.
No updated mesowest data... note the 10:00 PM time stamp on hourly snow and water totals from Chalk Creek (9,169')
A different network Windy Peak (10,662') offers real-time info.
To view more regional weather stations click here.
Over-the-hood- and over-the-head... Ted was in the Gold Hill environs yesterday and reports amazing coverage and ridiculously deep snow! More on his travels and insight found here.
Recent Avalanches
No significant avalanche activity to report from yesterday, but visibility was similar to being trapped inside a ping pong ball. The image above illustrates the new snow/old snow layering in wind sheltered terrain.
Recent trip reports and avy activity found HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Post-frontal, upper elevation, northerly winds continue cranking along the high ridges and they're having no problem forming deep, fresh drifts, that'll be sensitive to our additional weight. While mostly found on upper elevation leeward slopes facing the south half of the compass, I bet today's fresh drifts are also cross-loading terrain features like chutes and gully walls. With no shortage of fresh snow to blow around, today's drifts might break a little deeper and wider than you might expect and could easily catch you off guard. The good news is... this avalanche problem is easily avoidable by simply losing a little elevation and steering yourself towards wind sheltered terrain, where you'll find soft creamy snow and a more predictable avalanche dragon.
And remember-
It's triple overhead in some places.... recent winds coupled with fresh snow will add yet another layer to our already ginormous, ridgeline cornice formations. Breaking further back than you might expect, you'll definitely wanna give these large, unpredictable pieces of snow the respect they deserve and not ruin someones day below by inadvertently knocking a boxcar size piece of snow down on them.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
If the sun comes out for any length of time, expect the danger of wet avalanches to rapidly rise. Be aware that once triggered, even a small slide can fan out, entraining more snow as it slowly descends a steep slope, eventually conspiring against us to pile up cement-like, bone snapping avalanche debris. Putting it all together, you'll want to think about your travel plans and remember to avoid terrain traps like gullies and road cuts where avalanche debris can stack up very deeply.
Here's a great viddy describing a myriad of spring snow avalanche conditions.
Additional Information
Today, we can expect mostly cloudy skies, scattered snow showers, and a couple more inches of snow. High temperatures climb into the upper 20's with overnight lows in the teens. It'll be breezy along the high ridges with northerly winds blowing in the 30's and 40's, though they diminish throughout the day. A break in the action Friday and Saturday with another storm slated for late in the weekend.
General Announcements
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Friday April 12th, 2019.
If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170
It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.
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.
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