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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Dave Kelly
Issued by Dave Kelly on
Tuesday morning, February 25, 2025
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all aspects and elevations. With changing conditions careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.
When all else fails choosing to travel on or underneath terrain less than 30 ° in steepness will find you the softest turns and safest routes.
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Weather and Snow
Under light clouds, trailhead temperatures are in the high 30's °F and the highest summits are in the low 30's °F. Lower elevation zones, if they hit freezing last night only did for an hour or two while some stations have been above freezing for over twenty-four-hours. Winds are blowing from the west-southwest at the lower ridgelines in the 20's gusting to the 30's MPH. The highest ridgelines are seeing winds from the west-northwest blowing in the 30's gusting to the 60's MPH. There was no new snow last night and with these warm temperatures we are seeing settlement within the snowpack throughout the forecast region.
Today, look for partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from 38-42°F. Winds will blow from the west at the lower ridgelines 25 gusting to 35 MPH and at the highest peaks 40 gusting to 50 MPH with gusts to 70MPH. There is a cold front moving through today and a chance of light precipitation. Winds will increase with the frontal passage and should shift to the northwest.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, we had reports of wet loose and wet slab avalanches on southerly facing terrain. There are still reports coming in from last week's avalanche cycle and our recent observations page has all the updated details.
UAC forecasters went to check out recent close calls from over the weekend. You can check out the updated avalanche reports from Ant Knolls and Mt Aire; HERE, and HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A variety pack of buried persistent weak layers are variable and make for a complex problem. Thinner, rockier spots, and areas that avalanched earlier in the season are more likely to be places where you could trigger an avalanche failing on a buried layer of facets. These facets near the ground were responsible for the recent avalanche on Ant Knolls in the Northern Provo Region. We are also seeing avalanches triggered within the new/old snow interface that are reacting more like a persistent weak layer avalanche in the mid-elevations and in some cases the only way to identify this weak layer is to get your shovel out, dig, and perform some sort of stability test. If you hear any signs of collapsing at any elevation or aspect then find a lower angle slope to travel on or underneath.
We are not done with this buried persistent weak layer yet and as much as the mindset in late February typically turns to open-season, it's not that type of season. Give this snowpack some time to settle into its spring coat.
Video (Champion and Hardesty) discussing the recent rider triggered persistent weak layer avalanche from Ant Knolls.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Many stations up to 9,000' have not had a refreeze or only a light refreeze in almost two days. The snowpack in the mid and lower elevation terrain out of the wind zone may be saturated and the chance of triggering a gouging wet snow avalanche will increase with warming temperatures. Areas with long run out zones where avalanches could start as dry snow avalanches and turn into wet snow avalanches may overrun the snow line and people not traveling in starting zones could be susceptible to avalanches.
Avoid being underneath avalanche terrain on mid and lower elevation slopes, particularly during the heat of the day.
Video (Ambler) showing wet loose rollerballs turning into an avalanche on an east facing slope at 9,300' on Mt Reynolds.
Avalanche Problem #3
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
With increased wind speeds overnight and throughout the day today, there will be drifting snow in mid and higher elevation terrain. Look for and avoid slopes with overhanging cornices and smooth rounded deposits of snow. If you see signs such as cracking and collapsing within the wind-drifted snow then you may be able to trigger avalanches in steep terrain (greater than 30°). Any slope involving wind-drifted snow on a buried layer of facets will be deeper and more likely to bury a human.
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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