BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
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Danger Rose Tutorial
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Heightened avalanche conditions exist in drifted terrain this morning, and there's a Level 2 or Moderate danger mainly on upper and mid-elevation slopes facing northwest through southeast. You could trigger fresh and building wind slabs on steep drifted slopes, and large overhanging cornices could break further back than expected or calve off above you as winds continue to build them out over space. Dangerous triggered deep slabs are generally unlikely and would most likely be difficult for you to trigger at this point, but they are still possible in areas with a poor snow structure and/or a shallower slab layer. More snow and continuing winds will create dangerous conditions and a Level 3 or Considerable danger may develop in places. Continue to use safe travel protocols and evaluate the snow and terrain carefully..... |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 28 degrees this morning, and around 5 inches of new snow, with 7/10ths of an inch of water. There's now 117 inches of total snow on the ground the station sits at 142% of normal water content for the date. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Strong winds Sunday night and Monday caused several large natural cornice falls, some of which triggered wind slab and even a few deep slab avalanches on steep slopes below. Riders report triggering cornice falls and a ridgetop wind slab in drifted terrain with resumed southwest winds in Providence Canyon yesterday.....
.See our avalanche list HERE
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THREAT #1 |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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Increasing southwest winds will build fresh drifts and wind slabs with fresh snow in exposed terrain... Soft, freshly formed slabs can be quite sensitive, while stiffer wind slabs might be somewhat stubborn and can allow you to get out on them before breaking loose. Watch for and avoid drifted snow on steep slopes on the lee sides of ridges and in terrain dictated deposition areas, and be very cautious when traveling in exposed terrain above trees, gullies, benches or other terrain traps... As we get more snow and wind today, the danger of wind slab and storm snow avalanches will increase and become more widespread... |
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THREAT #2 |
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PROBABILITY |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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The cornices are truly huge this winter in some places, and some are quite menacing and evil looking.... These overhanging monsters on the major ridgelines are dangerous because you can't see them when you get out on them and they might break under your weight much further back than expected.... These large cornices also become quite dangerous to travel under, especially as they are building in windy conditions, since large chunks might naturally break off at any time and careen down on you or trigger avalanches on slopes below.... |
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THREAT #3 |
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PROBABILITY |
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Over the next
24
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Dangerous triggered deep slab avalanches, failing on now deeply buried January weak layers are generally unlikely but still possible in some areas, and the consequences of awakening one of these dragons could be deadly. Recent deep slab avalanches have occurred during significant loading events, with lots of rapidly applied weight from new snow and wind drifting. Overrunning snow from cornice falls triggered the most recent natural hard slabs in the zone. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region. Expect snow to continue through the day, with 3 to 5 inches forecast by evening. Sustained 15mph southwest winds will be plenty strong enough to drift the flying snow into soft sensitive slabs.... Temperatures in the mountains will remain in the mid twenties today. We'll see a break in the action overnight and tomorrow before heavy snowfall resumes and wind intensify again Monday Afternoon.... |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
We are offering a free avalanche awareness talk for riders on Thursday, March 24 at 6:00 at Renegade Sports in Nibley. This will be followed by a ride into avalanche terrain (field session) on Saturday, March 26.....
You can view a photo summary of last year's avalanche activity in the Logan Area HERE
Join the friends of the Utah Avalanche Center in Logan on facebook. Click HERE
I will update this advisory in the mornings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and on other days if backcountry avalanche conditions warrant...
You have the opportunity to participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting avalanche and snow observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or Toby at 435-757-7578, or email by clicking HERE
Donate to your favorite non-profit – The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.
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. |
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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. |
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This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:
The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list. |
