Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Tuesday morning, January 12, 2021
The western Uinta snowpack is starting to relax, but remains tricky. Once triggered, today's avalanches will break deeper and wider than you might expect, resulting in a dangerous slide.
In the wind zone, at and above treeline, you'll find pockets of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY on steep, wind drifted slopes. Steep terrain facing the north half of the compass, and particularly slopes with an easterly component to its aspect are most suspect and should be avoided.
Mid elevation slopes offer MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep, shady slopes.
Here's your exit strategy-
LOW avalanche danger is found on low elevation slopes, particularly those facing south, but snow cover is super thin.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
From 6:30-7:30 tonight, please join me in partnership with Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association on a Zoom presentation as we discuss the current state of our snowpack, what we can expect moving forward, and how we can still ride the Greatest Snow on Earth safely. Click here to tune in.
With great sadness, the Utah Avalanche Center reports that a 31-year old male snowboarder from Clinton, Utah, was killed in a backcountry avalanche in Dutch Draw off of Silver Peak, located on the Park City Ridgeline. The final report for the avalanche fatality is posted here
If you're searching for an alternative to avoid dangerous backcountry conditions, well look no further. Thanks to the generous support of our local resorts, Ski Utah, and Backcountry, discount lift tickets are now available. Support the UAC while you ski at the resorts this season. Tickets are available here.
Weather and Snow
Nowcast-
You know the program... as the valley gunk gets thick, clear skies and clean air await your arrival in the mountains. Currently, temperatures are inverted, registering in the mid 20's along the high ridges (about the same in the City of Salt) and teens in the mountain valleys. Northerly winds are about as light as they get blowing just 5-15 mph even along the high peaks. There's no recent new snow to report, though last Tuesday's storm delivered a solid 10" of medium density snow and conditions look more encouraging out there as average snow depths creep into the three foot range. Remember to tread lightly, it's still low tide in the Uinta's and travel is sorta limited to road rides and grassy slopes.
Forecast-
The clever graphic above says it all. Expect mostly sunny skies this morning with temperatures climbing into the 30's. Winds remain light and northerly for most of the day, but then ramp up tonight and switch to the west-northwest, cranking into the 40's and 50's as the dome of high pressure flattens and a storm bumps to the north.
Futurecast-
Scattered snow showers for Wednesday afternoon and then clearing through the weekend, but there's a glimmer of hope by about this time next week.
Looking for real-time temps, snow, or wind?
Click here and then on the "western Uinta" tab for western Uinta specific, weather station network.
Recent Avalanches
Mark took a rip up the Mirror Lake Highway on Friday and discovered this natural avalanche from earlier in the week near Reids Peak. It fits the recent trend of slides failing on weak, midpack snow and reflects the type of avalanche we could still trigger today. Mark has a great trip report, advice, and insight posted here.
Looking for more avy info and trip reports? Well then, simply click here.
Remember.... solid decision making is paramount because our front-line health care workers are maxed out. So, let's collectively think about our decisions and the consequences that may have on others.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Michael J spotted this snowmobile triggered slide in Hoyt Peak Bowl on Friday. Breaking 18-24"deep and 200' wide, in a steep rocky section where the snowpack is slightly shallower and weaker... this is the type of avalanche you could still trigger today.
Crazy how nothing's changed with our persistent weak layer, but that's why anything "persistent" in our snowpack takes a long time to heal and sometimes remains active 'til it flows out of our taps in the summer. And we don't have over-analyze the situation because we've got a number of red flags waving in our faces. Booming collapses, shooting cracks, and the biggest sign of avalanches.... AVALANCHES!
So here's the deal- the snowpack is complex, we have a persistent weak layer in the mid portion of the pack, and this fragile structure experienced a rapid change when last Tuesday's storm slammed down on it. And while there were a few natural avalanches, many slopes hang in the balance waiting for a trigger like us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath. This is the setup where we can trigger slides from the flats, low on the slope, from a distance, or from adjacent slopes. We don't need to be on the slope... just connected to it.
This is the kind of avalanche where we pull the entire log pile down on top of us, even if we're playing on low angle terrain.
But you don't have to ride blind... so, tweak small test slopes, looking for and listening to signs of unstable snow like whoomping sounds and sudden collapses of the snowpack or shooting cracks in front of your skis, board, or sled. And of course the biggest clue of all... recent avalanches, especially on the same types of slopes you wanna ride on.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Most wind drifts settled and gained strength the past few days and have for the most part become quite relaxed. But as we know, the Uinta's are a big place and a few lingering wind drifts may break deeper and wider than you might expect. The ticket is to avoid pulling on the dogs tail. Steer clear of steep wind drifted slopes and terrain features like chutes and gullies which appear fat and rounded or sound hollow like a drum. And remember... our snowpack is super shallow and triggering even a small slide can take you for a body-bruising ride through rocks and stumps barely hidden under the thin snowpack.
Additional Information
Andy Nassetta moved the avalanche transceiver checkpoint down to it's winter home at the Nobletts Trailhead. Please make sure to swing by and make sure your avy gear is on your body, sending a signal, and functioning properly
I'll update this forecast by 7:00 AM tomorrow, Wednesday January 13th.
Your observations are import, so please let me know what you're seeing... click HERE and contribute to this amazing community based program
General Announcements
If you see or trigger an avalanche or just wanna let me know what you're seeing you can reach me directly at 801-231-2170 or [email protected]
The information in this forecast is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content.
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >