SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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UAC CLOSING AFTER THIS WEEKEND: This weekend will be our last of issuing advisories for the season as our piggy bank has run dry. We will continue to accept and publish observations from backcountry users who submit them. You can find them in the Current Conditions off the main menu.
Help us improve the information we provide. Please take the time to answer 10 quick questions in our spring user survey... click HERE |
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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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Warm temperatures created dangerous avalanche conditions in the backcountry, and there's a Level 3 or Considerable danger of wet avalanches on steep slopes at all elevations. Poor riding conditions should keep most of you out of trouble today, but natural and triggered wet avalanches are likely on steep slopes with saturated snow. Dangerous and destructive deep slab avalanches are possible on some upper and mid-elevation slopes and could be triggered by overrunning cornice fall or loose wet avalanches.. You are likely to trigger large cornice falls if you travel close to the edge of exposed ridges, and large natural cornice falls are possible. Avoid and stay out from under steep slopes and obvious or historic avalanche paths, especially in the heat of the midday. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential in avalanche terrain. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Today is a good day to not have set goals in the mountains, and now is a good time to reevaluate any big plans that you may have for the weekend... Riding conditions are poor in the backcountry and very warm temperatures will create dangerous wet avalanche conditions today at all elevations... It has not dropped below freezing overnight for the last two nights up at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel, and temperatures are in the upper 30s again this morning. There's still 133 inches of total snow at the station, 150% of average water content for the date... |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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By yesterday evening, it looked like the mountains around cache Valley were leaking hot wax. Numerous wet loose avalanches were observed across the zone, and one observer noted a significant wet slab that was triggered by an overrunning wet sluff coming off an upper elevation southeast facing slope in the Central Wellsville Range....
.See our avalanche list HERE
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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Over the next
12 hours.
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Expect very warm and sunny weather to create dangerous avalanche conditions on steep slopes at all elevations today.... The danger will be most widespread in the middle of the day, especially when upper elevation winds diminish as forecast. Today you should just simply avoid steep terrain in the backcountry and stay out from under steep slopes and funneling gullies or avalanche paths.... Be aware of the potential for natural wet avalanches from above, and avoid getting washed into trees, gullies or other terrain traps below |
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THREAT #2 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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Dangerous deep slab avalanches are still possible on slopes with buried persistent weak layers and poor snow structure.. The danger is highest on steep previously drifted upper elevation slopes, especially in rocky areas or areas with a generally shallow snowpack. Today's warmth will increase slab creep rates and soften existing rock hard deep slabs. In some cases the softening may tip the load on slopes that are currently close to a critical balance.... Deep slab avalanches will probably need a fairly large trigger like overrunning cornice falls or loose wet avalanches from above, but if they occur they'll be impressive, quite destructive, and potentially deadly.... |
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THREAT #3 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
12 hours.
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Continue to avoid and stay out from under the huge overhanging cornices on the major ridge lines, which often break further back than expected and could trigger dangerous avalanches on steep slopes below. The rapidly warming temperatures will cause these monsters to sag, buckle, and perhaps naturally fail in the heat of the day... In fact, I would not be shocked to hear of boxcar or even small train-sized cornice falls in the backcountry. Natural cornice-fall initiated wet avalanches are a good bet this weekend... |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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Expect sweltering temperatures in the mountains today under strong spring sunshine. West winds are diminishing already this morning, and the natural air-conditioning breeze won't be much of a factor by midday. Warm, springlike temperatures will continue into tomorrow, then cloud cover will develop in the evening. Another moist Pacific storm is expected for Saturday night, bringing cooler temperatures and perhaps half-a-foot of accumulating snow. |
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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
We will be ending our regular advisories for the season this weekend.....
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. |
