Forecast: Salt Lake Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Dave Kelly on
Wednesday morning, December 13, 2023

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes in the mid and upper west-north-east elevation and upper elevation southeast facing terrain where it will be possible to trigger an avalanche 2-4' deep stepping into the old faceted snow from early season or trigger a wind-drifted snow avalanche in the highest elevation terrain.

Last night's easterly winds will have transported loose surface snow into stiff wind-slabs. Avoid smooth, pillowy, or rounded piles of snow in steep terrain as any wind-drifted avalanche could be the extra weight needed to trigger a deeper avalanche failing into old faceted snow.

The avalanche danger is LOW at lower elevations and in mid-elevation southerly facing terrain.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Weather and Snow

Under clear skies mountain temperatures are in the teens-low 20's °F. Winds are blowing from an easterly direction 25 gusting to 35 MPH at the 11,000 ridgelines, and 20 gusting to 25 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines. There was no new snow reported overnight and snow heights range from 2-4' at most locations. For today, winds will blow strong from the east at the highest ridgelines before decreasing in speed by this afternoon. Skies will be clear with temperatures 29-33°F. No new snow is expected today or through the week as high-pressure builds, with the next shot of snow looking to be a week out.

These weather conditions will allow the surface snow to facet (recycled powder) and you can expect to see loose dry avalanches in the steepest terrain. These small avalanches may not be enough to bury you, but could rake you through trees or over a cliff band. The good news is that this layer of faceted surface snow will make for great travel conditions and fun sliding on lower angle slopes out of the wind zone.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday there were reports of wet loose activity on solar aspects and there are still reports trickling in of avalanches that occurred over the weekend. Read all the observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Triggering an avalanche 2-4' deep down into our old PWL persistent weak layer of facets and crusts is becoming less likely in most terrain. The most recent reported avalanche into these facets was on Saturday December 9th in the Wilson Chutes.

While snow pits continue to show poor structure; cracking and collapsing have become much less common. I suspect that in the days ahead it will become harder to trigger this layer as reports come in of rounding facets in deeper snowpack areas.

I do think you would be more likely to trigger one of these avalanches in thinner snowpack areas, such as along the Park City ridgeline, upper Mill Creek, Lambs Canyon, the Wasatch Back, or lower canyon drainages with a much shallower snowpack (read more about avalanches that involve PWL's HERE).

Cracking and collapsing may or may not accompany unstable slopes.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Last night the winds blew from the east throughout the range and may have transported snow onto leeward slopes in the upper elevations. Keep an eye out for wind-drifted snow drifts that may look pillowy and round as these are areas where a small wind-drifted avalanche may step down to the deeper persistent weak layer triggering an avalanche 2-4' deep.

Additional Information

This is an excellent time to sharpen your avalanche rescue skills. Practice with your partners or take a companion rescue clinic.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures