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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Mark Staples
Issued by Mark Staples on
Wednesday morning, December 2, 2020
Today the avalanche danger is LOW. The main hazard is hitting a rock or stump or other obstacles because the snowpack is so thin.
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Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow
This morning it's cold with temperatures in the single digits F at most mountain locations. Ridgetop winds are blowing 10-15 mph from the NE and gusting 20-25 mph. Some clouds have dribbled into the area from the east this morning.
The main weather story today (since we're not talking about snowfall) is winds from the east that will keep temperatures cold today with highs only in the low 20s F while upper elevation temperatures will remain in the single digits. Winds should increase from the E late this morning and subside this afternoon. Skies will be clear and sunny.
The snowpack is only 1-2 feet deep. Faceting (aka weakening) has occurred in the several inches of snow that fell last week and maintained some decent riding. Southerly facing slopes have a mix of ice crusts and patches of dirt/rock. Overall the snowpack remains supportable but thin.
Total snowfall for November at the Alta Guard Station was 51 inches (3.88 inches of water). The average is 68 inches of snow (6.4 inches of water).
Recent Avalanches
There have been no reported avalanches.
Recent observations can be found by clicking here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Location
Likelihood
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Description
The main hazards are rocks and other obstacles that aren't covered or barely covered by the thin snowpack. There may be some isolated, shallow slabs of wind drifted snow near ridgetops that could produce a small avalanche from increased winds two nights ago.
Otherwise, the snowpack continues to facet and weaken on most slopes except ones receiving direct sunshine. This faceting process occurs because the ground is always 32 degrees F and the snow surface is much colder which creates a big temperature difference over a short distance (because the snowpack is thin). To get avalanches, we'll need snowfall and/or wind to put a slab of snow on top of this weak snowpack.
General Announcements
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.