Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds support the UAC. Get your tickets
HERE.
Consider taking an avalanche class, there are many different options. Click on the Education menu for a full list of classes from the UAC and other providers. Check out the Know Before You Go
eLearning program for free, online, avalanche classes.
Snowfall began this morning with a trace to 1.5 inches by 5 a.m. Temperatures this morning are in the upper 20s F at trailhead and low to mid 20s F at ridgetops. Westerly winds at ridgetops are averging 15-20 mph and gusting 25-30 mph.
Snowfall will continue through Saturday with the heaviest snowfall occurring tonight and into tomorrow morning. For today expect 3-5" of snow, temperatures in the mid-teens to upper 20s F, and westerly winds averaging 15-30 mph, and gusting up to 50 mph at ridgelines.
Over the past few days a variety of snow surfaces have been seen, a zipper crust on southerly aspects and
surface hoar crystals on almost all aspects. These surface hoar crystals may already be capped an preserved by this morning's snow, and they could develop into a weak layer or poorly bonded interface moving into the weekend. Photo below of surface hoar crystals (M. White).
Total new snow amounts by Sunday could be 1-2 feet. For a complete weather briefing view the
video at the bottom of the page under "Additional Info".
Yesterday, one ski area triggered 3 avalanches in the old, weak facets on high elevation, north-facing, steep rocky terrain that had previously not been opened or received any explosive testing. The largest was 150 ft wide and 2 ft deep. These slopes had avalanched naturally during the Thanksgiving storm, and yesterday they produced what we call "repeater" avalanches. These slides are a good warning sign of what will begin happening in the backcountry.
Other avalanches have been occurring sporadically but enough to get our attention. View all of them
HERE.