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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Monday morning, March 16, 2020
Most terrain has LOW danger. Remember that LOW danger does not mean NO danger. Remember, too, that Risk is Inherent in Mountain Travel. A couple of considerations for today:
  • Pockets of Wind Slab may still be found in isolated terrain.
  • Wet avalanche activity will be possible with direct sun and daytime heating. When the snow becomes punchy and unsupportable, it's time to head home.
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Special Announcements
We are sad to report that a 60-yr-old skier was killed by a large avalanche yesterday in backcountry near Pebble Creek ski resort outside of Pocatello, Idaho. This is not in our forecast zone, but we will assist in the investigation.
We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.
Uphill Travel at Ski Areas - Some resorts will be offering limited uphill access but not all do. Current info about uphill access from Ski Utah is posted HERE.
Weather and Snow
Skies are partly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 20s up high, the low 30s down low.
The relentless winds. Overnight southerly winds blew 25-30mph with gusts to 50, but they've lost a touch of steam in the last hour or two. Current wind speeds are 15-20mph.
Snow surface conditions are a mixed bag of crusts with soft and turnable graupel and dense settled powder in sheltered northerly terrain.
A storm churning just off the California coast has us under a warm southerly flow where we'll see increasing clouds by midday. Temps will rise to near 30°F along the ridgelines and the mid-40s down low. Winds will be southerly, blowing 15-20mph.
Cooler weather and periods of precipitation arrive mid-week as the storm moves overhead.
Recent Avalanches
No reports of avalanche activity yesterday.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Normal Caution is advised.
  1. Pockets of wind slab may be found scattered across the compass, but generally on north to northeast facing slopes. I found wind drifts well off the main ridgelines yesterday, but they were not reactive. This may not be the case for lingering drifts in all areas.
  2. Loose wet sluffs are possible with direct sun and daytime highs reaching into the mid-40s; particularly in wind sheltered terrain. If you see rollerballs, pinwheels, and natural sluffs...and the snow starts to become punchy and unsupportable, move to a cooler aspect, lower angle terrain, or head to the barn.
  3. Cornices become tender this time of year, particularly with sustained winds, warm temps and direct sun. A health skepticism of the integrity of cornices is warranted.
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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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