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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Tuesday morning, December 8, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW.
The main hazard is hitting a rock or stump in our thinly veiled snowpack.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
This week is the 2nd Annual Avalanche Awareness Week. We will be hosting avalanche awareness and education events across the state of Utah. Get a full schedule of events here.

The holiday season is right around the corner!! Looking for that special something for your partner? or yourself?
Well, we've got an easy shopping solution for you...Buy your gifts at our Pray for Snow online auction.
Weather and Snow
Skies are clear.
Winds are light from the west.
Mountain temperatures remain inverted with temps near 40° along the ridgelines and in the teens in the basins and the trailheads.
Snow depths are 1-2' deep, but thin, threadbare, and generally hammered by the sun and wind.

The outlook is more promising.
But first things first: the Utah Dept of Air Quality forecasts worsening conditions through tomorrow. The weather becomes more progressive Thursday and Friday as a storm to our southwest ejects inland and cooler air arrives from the northwest. Air quality will improve and we may see some light snow on Friday. Mountain temperatures dive to the single digits by Friday night and it will start to feel (though not necessarily look) like winter again. More snow is possible Sunday night into early next week.
Recent Avalanches
None.
Despite the lean conditions, we continue to receive excellent observations from the backcountry. Note that you can see the observations in either a tabular view or map view.
We want to share some of our internal dialogue from a couple nights ago - Mapping the Weak Layers - A Look Behind the Curtain.

Please keep these excellent observations coming - they help us map the locations of the weak faceted snow. This will be critical ahead of the next winter storms.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Today, the overall avalanche danger is LOW. This means that human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, but small avalanches in isolated areas are possible.
Our shallow snowpack continues to weaken under the cold/clear skies through a process known as “faceting”. While this is not a concern now, once we get a large load of snow on top of it, the weak faceted snow will become a weak layer.
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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.