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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Sunday morning, March 24, 2019
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all steep upper elevation slopes, where shallow slabs of wind drifted snow failing on the old dry snow could be triggered. Other terrain has a LOW avalanche danger, but the danger could spike to MODERATE for wet snow sluffs if the sun comes out at any point during the day.
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Weather and Snow
Overnight we picked up another 2-6" of new snow throughout the Wasatch range. The southerly winds picked up around 7:00 pm last night and are currently blowing 15-20 mph gusting into the 30's and 40's across the high ridge lines. At mid elevations the winds are blowing in the 10-15 mph range. Temperatures are in the mid 20's °F at 10,000' while the lower elevation (7,500') trail heads are hovering around the freezing level of 32 °F.
We should continue to see snow showers and good cloud cover into the early/late afternoon today as a weak system lifts to our north and east. Temperatures will remain on the colder side with 10,000' temps staying in the mid 20's. The southerly winds are forecasted to decrease as the day wears on. The sun may poke through the clouds late in the afternoon as high pressure begins to build in later this evening.
The best riding and turning conditions are on the northerly facing slopes above about 9,000' in elevation, where you can still find dry cold powder snow. Yesterday's warm temperatures from green housing, shrink wrapped the mountain snowpack and made most all other aspects and elevations damp and soggy by mid morning. Today, you can expect all but mid and upper elevation northerly facing terrain to be crusted with 2-6" of dense surfy snow on top.
Recent Avalanches
Backcountry observers reported sluffing within the new snow on the steep northerly facing terrain. At mid and lower elevations once the sun took over, roller balls and small loose wet avalanches were reported as well. The big news came from Davenport Hill when a party was walking along the ridgeline and triggered a giant cornice. Luckily no one was caught or below as the giant house size chunk of snow rocketed down slope breaking many trees (Video below: Winslow).
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The southerly winds picked up last night around 7:00 pm and have continued to blow at speeds of 15-20 mph gusting into the 30's and 40's at the upper elevations. With new snow to move around I am expecting there to be drifts of wind blown snow and shallow sensitive soft slabs scattered around the high elevations.
Keep and eye out and watch for areas that look fat, pillowy, smooth and rounded as they should be avoided. In forgiving terrain (clean run outs) one should be able to tease these drifts with slope cuts. However, in terrain with high consequence (trees, rocks, cliffs, sustained steepness) it's best to ride around these drifts or enter the slope in places that have not been effected by the wind.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
It's spring time and conditions change rapidly throughout the day. Be your own forecaster by thinking about the weather and how that will either increase or decrease the avalanche danger today.
If the sun comes out: Keep an eye on the snow surface, if it becomes damp and soggy on sunny aspects, you can expect loose wet avalanche to start happening. Either decrease your slope angle, or move to higher elevations on the north (colder side) of the mountain.
Steep northerly facing terrain: Watch for loose snow sluffs and wind drifted snow. Out of wind effect snow with no heating issues the danger will be LOW.
Green Housing: If this happens, keep an eye on all aspects and elevations for the snow surface to become damp and soggy. Again, expect wet loose avalanches. If you're unfamiliar with what this term means check out what Jim Steenburgh has to say about it HERE.
If we stay cloudy and cold all day: This is the best case scenario and the avalanche danger will remain LOW out of the wind effected terrain. If you're traveling at upper elevations watch for drifts of wind blown snow.
Cornices: As with yesterday's human triggered cornice avalanche, you'll want to give these yawning giants respect. Avoid being on top of these when traveling on ridgelines as well as spending a lot of time underneath them.
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.
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