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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Dave Kelly
Issued by Dave Kelly on
Thursday morning, March 7, 2024
Today, there is a MODERATE avalanche danger on upper elevation steep terrain for lingering wind-drifted snow avalanches. The avalanche danger is LOW in mid and lower elevation terrain.
You will see dry loose avalanches in steep terrain at all elevations on the shady side of the compass and may see wet snow with daytime warming.
As you step out into bigger terrain evaluate each slope carefully for areas of wind-drifted snow or thinner places that may have avalanched earlier this season. These steeper locations will be rockier and have a shallower snowpack. They are the places where it would be possible to trigger an avalanche.
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Weather and Snow
This morning, under overcast skies trailhead temperatures are in the mid 20's °F and ridgetop temperatures are in the mid-teens °F. Winds have finally calmed down and are blowing lightly from a westerly direction at the lower elevation ridgelines and in the teens gusting to the low 20's MPH at the highest elevations. Mountain locations picked up 1"-4" snow and .10"-20" water over the last 12 hours.
Today, look for overcast skies with winds blowing from a north-westerly direction 5 gusting to 10 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines and 15 gusting to 20 MPH at the 11,000' ridgelines. Temperatures should be 24-30°F with snow accumulations of a trace to 3" throughout the day. The freezing level is 6,000' and dropping.
With intermittent sun and cloud through the day yesterday there was greenhousing reported up to the highest elevations on all aspects and damp powder skiing in protected areas that were not wind-affected. Anytime the warm March sun breaks through the clouds expect to see rapid heating of the snow surface.
Light showery snow continues through the day with dropping temperatures this evening as a cold front moves through. Tomorrow will be cold and sunny and the weekend looks clear. Read the forecaster discussion from our partners at the National Weather Service HERE.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, we had reports of a backcountry triggered slide on a steep northeast facing slope at 10,400' in upper Big Cottonwood Canyon. Ski areas reported natural activity during peak winds early on Wednesday AM and large D2 sized avalanches with explosives.
There were reports of sensitive cornices and people tentatively stepping out into bigger terrain. Assess any slope over 30 ° in steepness before committing to a bigger objective. Check out all observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A week's worth of strong winds have transported snow and, in many places stripped some windward locations back to rocks and brush. All of this blowing snow had to go somewhere and there are large drifts of snow on the leeward aspect of ridgelines and terrain features. The hardness of these wind drifts seemed to increase with elevation, which means they are more likely to allow you to get further onto the slope before breaking above you as you gain elevation.
Cornices are a sign of fresh wind-loading and there were observations of sensitive and large cornices over the last few days.
Photo of a wind-drifted snow avalanche underneath a sensitive cornice in the Provo Area Mountains is similar to what you could find in the Salt Lake Region.
To learn more about wind in the mountains check out Logan forecaster Toby's Blog HERE.
Additional Information
Come join Snowbasin Ski Patrol and Wasatch Backcountry Rescue for an Avalanche Dog Fundraiser on Saturday, March 9 at 6 PM at the Union Grill (315 24th Street, Ogden UT).
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.
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