UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Thursday morning, December 7, 2023
The overall avalanche danger is MODERATE today. Continue to avoid the higher elevation more north facing steep terrain where human triggered slab avalanches are possible.
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Special Announcements
The 5th Annual Avalanche Awareness Week is December 3-10. The week's goal is to save lives through activities that promote avalanche awareness, education, and safety. We have a variety of events around the state. Find an event near you.
Weather and Snow
Current Conditions: Temperatures have been warm with highs into the low 40s and overnight lows around 30˚F. Wind from the southwest has picked up into the moderate to strong speed range along the higher terrain. The snowpack is somewhat supportable for skis and snowmobiles. I would say riding conditions are overall poor due to wind and heat crusts.
Mountain Weather: We'll have mostly cloudy skies today with the slight chance of light snow. Temperatures should drop into the low 20s during the day and we'll have moderate speed wind from the west. A storm will move through tonight into Friday. I'm expecting 3 to 5 inches of new snow by the time it's done. It looks like wind from the northwest will be a bit breezy during the storm.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Today, you will want to avoid the steepest more northerly facing high elevation terrain. This terrain holds a significant weak layer of loose sugary faceted snow near the ground. Last week's dense new snow added a slab on top of that weak layer. This will probably cause us some concern for a while as the season gets going.
Unfortunately, this is the exact terrain that we seek out right now because it holds the most snow. If you keep your slope angles to less than 30˚, this type of terrain is ok to recreate in. If it's steeper than 30˚, you run the risk of triggering a two to three foot deep avalanche.
General Announcements
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.