The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning for triggering new damp snow avalanches on slopes of about 35 degrees or steeper on all aspects. The danger is most pronounced in areas that received more then just a few inches. Keep in mind that any break in the weather where the sun peeks out can make the avalanche danger spike to CONSIDERABLE today with natural avalanche activity possible then.

After some disagreement with the weather models, snow accumulation did verify the forecast numbers at least in Little Cottonwood Canyon with 6 inches of new snow at 10% density. Other areas only picked up a few inches. Temperatures remain fairly warm hovering right around freezing at most locations. South southwest winds are blowing 10 to 20 along the mid elevation ridges and gusting into the 40s at the most exposed locations.

The natural wet avalanche cycle came to a halt to the best of my knowledge with cooler temperatures on Friday. No avalanche activity was reported however, very few people were out in the backcountry.

Periods of snow during the day may add up another 2 to 6 inches before chances for snow decrease this evening. High temperatures will be in the upper 30s at 8000 feet and lower 30s at 10,000. Winds will continue in the 10 to 20 mph range from the southwest during the day and switch to the northwest later. Another storm will brush northern Utah on Sunday bringing another shot of snow possibly in the 6 inch range.

We will be issuing intermittent afternoon avalanche advisories for the rest of the season, updating the advisory as conditions change.

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We appreciate any and all late season avalanche and snow observations, so keep them coming!! Please leave us a message at (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at uac@utahavalanchecenter.org. (Fax 801-524-6301).

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.