Heavy snowfall with strong wind is causing natural avalanches to occur. More snow is expected during the day today. The avalanche danger is HIGH. Backcountry travel is not recommended. If you choose to go into the backcountry stay off of and out from under all slopes of 30 degrees or steeper and stay out of terrain traps such as gullies.

The avalanche danger is HIGH. Backcountry travel is not recommended. Natural avalanches are certain. Stay off of and out from under all steep slopes.

We're in the midst of a significant winter storm that's already puked out an amazing amount of snow coupled with strong winds. Tony Grove is up to near 2" of water which will be 12 to 24 inches of snow out of this storm so far. 24 hour totals are pushing 20 inches from the Ogden mountains through the Salt Lake and Provo area mountains. Upper Little Cottonwood received 26 inches in the last 24 hours with a storm total of 30 inches and 2.7 inches of water weight. Winds are a serious factor and have been strong for a good portion of this storm starting from the southwest and switching more west. Temperatures are in the teens.

We haven't received any observations from the Logan area mountains from Monday. UDOT avalanche forecasters in Little Cottonwood reported numerous natural avalanches overnight on the southerly facing paths above the highway. They also noted difficulty "waddling" out to their snow study plot indicating that travel will be difficult in the backcountry. If you want to get out today, choose wind sheltered terrain (if that's even possible) that's seen lesser amounts of snow.

An unstable northwest flow will continue through today with another 6 inches or so possible. West and northwest winds should slow a bit but will still be stronger then we want, easily continuing to transport snow. Ridgetop temperatures will be around 20. Snow continues in a northwest flow tonight before winding down. High pressure builds in Wednesday and later in the week with warming temperatures.

The ability to deal with medical emergencies is a vital backcountry travel skill. On April 9-11, Utah Wilderness Safety will be conducting a Wilderness & Remote First Aid course in SLC. As an added bonus, WMS has agreed to donate a percent of the class proceeds to the FUAC. For more details, go to our events calendar or www.utahwildernesssafety.com/FIRST-AID.html.

SLC: Please contact Alta Central (801-742-2033) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry, especially if you are adjacent to a ski area, to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Ogden: Please contact Snowbasin ski patrol (801620-1000/1017) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry, especially if you are adjacent to a ski area, to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Provo: Please contact Sundance ski patrol (801 -223-4150) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry, especially if you are adjacent to a ski area, to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Discount Lift tickets: Ski Utah, Backcountry.com and the local resorts donated lift tickets, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Utah Avalanche Center. To get the last few tickets left for Park City, Beaver Mountain, and Sundance – click here at discounted prices.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides flight plan.

Dawn Patrol Forecast Hotline, updated by 05:30:888-999-4019 option 8.

Daily observations are frequently posted by 10 pm each evening.

Free UAC iPhone app from Canyon Sports.

Subscribe to the daily avalanche advisory e-mail click HERE.

UDOT canyon closures UDOT at (801) 975-4838

We appreciate all your avalanche and snow observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, or fill out the observation form on our home page.

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

Ev will update this forecast tomorrow morning. Thanks for calling.