The avalanche danger is MODERATE for wet avalanches on steep slopes of all aspects and elevations, except upper elevation northerly facing slopes. People will be able to initiate wet sluffs, especially in thinner snow pack areas and in low and mid elevation terrain, that could run far distances. The danger will rise if there are periods of rain on snow where you are. There is also pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger for triggering a hard, new wind drift, which will be most widespread on the north half of the compass.

The same southerly winds that blew garbage cans and patio chairs around the valley last night are averaging 45 to 55 mph, with gusts in the 70s, across the high Ogden ridge lines, and 25 to 35 mph, with gusts over 50 at the mid elevation station. Temperatures are in the low 40’s at 7,700’ and low 30’s at 9,500’. It will be rough riding out there today – if you don’t get blown off your feet, you’ll be dealing with crusts, breakable crusts, slush and punchy slush, with a few wind slabs mixed in and patchy remnants of soft snow on very sheltered, due north facing slopes. Consistency will be found on the groomers at the resorts, with an eye out for powder the next few days.

No reports of backcountry avalanche activity yesterday.

It will remain very warm and windy today ahead of a strong Pacific storm system moving inland from northern California. Across the higher terrain, average wind speeds will remain near 50 mph, with gusts in the 60s and 70s. Mid elevation speeds will average 25 to 35 mph, with gusts in the 50’s. Temperatures will warm to near 50 at 8,000’ and near 40 along the higher ridge lines. The cold front should reach the Wasatch mountains around 6pm tonight, accompanied by gusty, post frontal winds from the northwest, a few inches of snow, and a 35% chance of lightning. There are too many wild cards in the deck (read computer model disagreement) to commit to storm totals for the Wednesday into Thursday time frame, but expect colder, unsettled, weather with at least some snow.

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.

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