An Avalanche Warning remains in effect for the Wasatch Mountains north of I-80 to include the Bear River Range. Those without significant avalanche experience should avoid being on or underneath steep slopes today.

Yesterday's heavy snow and sustained winds created a HIGH danger in the backcountry, and very dangerous conditions still exist on many slopes today. Dangerous persistent slabs, releasing on buried weak layers are likely on slopes steeper than around 35 degrees, especially on generally sheltered mid-elevation slopes facing the northern half of the compass. You are likely to trigger soft slabs, wind slabs, and loose snow avalanches involving significant quantities of new snow on steep slopes at any elevation. Avoid huge and deceptive overhanging cornices, which may break further back than you expect.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.........

Perhaps the most substantial storm of the season dropped 28 inches of snow on the Tony Grove depth sensor with 2 inches of water in the last 24 hrs, and there's now 104 inches of total snow on the ground at 8400'. The Campbell Scientific weather station on Logan Peak recorded moderate yet sustained west-southwest winds yesterday, which switched around from the northwest and diminished overnight.

Rapid significant accumulations of heavy snow and moderately strong west winds at all elevations yesterday raised the ante in the backcountry. If you had plans for a big day in the mountains, you should reconsider and reevaluate….Numerous Red Flags are waving in front of our faces today even before we step out of the door, and very dangerous avalanche conditions exist.

In addition to heavy snowfall and wind, which are obvious clues in themselves, I received reports from the backcountry of a few other Red Flag indicators of instability. A couple parties reported deep shooting cracks and heart stopping audible collapses or whoomphing noises in normally shady terrain where we might expect to find a weak layer consisting of preserved surface hoar. Fresh avalanche debris was observed above highway 89 in terrain accessible from Beaver Mountain, and evidence of natural activity spawned by yesterday’s storm will come into view with clearing…

Snow safety crews in the Ogden Mountains and the Central Wasatch Range report numerous intentionally triggered avalanches yesterday…….

We see some lingering snow showers in the mountains today, which will gradually diminish.

Expect clearing tomorrow as a high pressure system sets up for the weekend....

You can get a great deal on further discounted tickets to Beaver Mountain and support the Utah Avalanche Center at the same time. 100% of the funds raised from these donated lift tickets will go to the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center and will help our financially strapped but important program...(Click HERE to get discounted tickets on-line)

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center and the USU Outdoor Recreation Center are offering a four-day intensive advanced backcountry avalanche Level 2 (certification) class next weekend. The class starts on Thursday evening (2/19/09), and we'll spend the next 3 days in the field. Please call the ORC to register in advance. (435-797-3264)

Our "Know before You Go" video is available online..... (click HERE to watch it)

The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work. To find out more about how you can support our efforts to continue providing the avalanche forecasting and education that you expect please visit our Friends page.

Your snow and avalanche observations help everyone in the backcountry community. Please let us know what you're seeing by leaving a message at (435-)755-3638 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at uac@utahavalanchecenter.org. .

This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

I will update this advisory by around 7:30 Friday morning.