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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Saturday morning, April 12, 2025
The heat is on and today's avalanche danger may rise to MODERATE before a robust cold front locks things up overnight-
For this morning, the avalanche danger is generally LOW and human-triggered avalanches are UNLIKELY on all aspects and elevations. Heads up... the snowpack has a shelf life of supportability this morning and the danger may rise to MODERATE on all but the highest polar slopes, especially during the heat of the day. As temperatures soar, human triggered wet sluffs and slides are POSSIBLE, so you'll wanna stay off of and out from under steep, sun-baked slopes as they may come to life as the day wares on.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
With a full Pink Moon overhead, this Sunday, April 13th will be the last of our regularly scheduled avalanche forecasts. Moving forward, we will issue updates when necessary and publish public observations until May 1.
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Weather and Snow
Nowcast: Southwest winds bumped into the 30's and 40's overnight, as high pressure shifts east of our region. A nearly full, Pink Moon peaks through high clouds streaming into the Uinta zone this morning. Temperatures are downright balmy, registering in the low 40's near the high peaks and bending the mercury to the upper 40's near the trailheads.
Forecast: Expect partly cloudy skies and strong southwest winds blowing in the 30's, gusting into the 50's near the high peaks. Temperatures soar into the 50's before crashing into the mid 20's overnight as a cold, but mostly dry front slides through northern Utah.
Futurecast: The dust settles for Sunday morning service and we can expect mostly sunny skies, calm winds, and more seasonal temperatures topping off in the mid and upper 30's. The upcoming week looks spectacular.
Travel and Riding Conditions: It'll be a good day to knock out chores at home as supportable riding conditions are gonna be short lived today. But if you do get out and about, Spring is a great time to hone your snowcraft -- work elevation bands, shift aspects, or just do a little snow homework and test your theories.
Joseph in harvest mode, working a southeast aspect at 10,500' early in the morning where stellar turning conditions were had. I expect the corn window to be short lived today.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches have been reported in the past 24 hours, though throughout the range a variety of wet-loose avalanches and failing cornices can be seen. Check out all travel obs, avalanches, and more from the eastern front and across the state, here!
Northeast and east aspects at 10,650' displaying signs of warming and wet snow activity.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
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Description
The snowpack hasn't received a solid refreeze for 48 hours and that not only pumps the brakes on the corn harvest and overall snowpack supportability, it also increases the risk of wet sluffs and slides. And while the surface snow becomes damp, manky, and unsupportable, I don't think the world comes unglued. However, if you find yourself sinking into your knees or trenching into oblivion, you've most likely overstayed your welcome and it's time to change aspect and elevation, or simply call it a day and move on to other activities.
Here's some considerations-
  • Wet snow avalanches can get out of hand quickly -- Even small avalanches in consequential terrain can be fatal, and typically involve lots of trauma. Think about what your riding on, and what's below you if swept off your skis, board or sled, or have a slip and fall.
  • Large cornices can trigger large avalanches -- At the peak of the days heat, watch for cornices falling and avoid being underneath them as they could trigger a larger chunk of snow crashing onto the slope below..
A school bus sized cornice that failed and created a large void and huge divot between the ridge and the slope below. Look for more cornice failure today and give these boxcar mammoths plenty of room and respect.
Additional Information
A huge shout out to Ski-Doo for getting us out into the hills to help us complete our work, and do a little product testing on the way! The Uinta's are a remote range, and snow machine is nearly the only way to get around. We could not do it without their support, machines, and stoke in our work and mission at the UAC -- You rock, Ski-Doo!
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, April 12th at 03:00 AM and expires 24 hours after it was issued.
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