There are pockets of a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger in wind exposed terrain. Watch for areas with recent deposits of wind drifted snow along mid and upper elevation ridges especially on northeast through southeast facing slopes. Out of wind exposed terrain the danger is Level 1 (LOW).

Temperatures climbed overnight and are now above freezing at most ridgetop locations. Winds are also increasing gusting into the 20s along the mid elevation ridges and 60s along the more exposed locations from a southerly direction. We haven't received much in the line of observations from the Ogden area probably due to a current lack of snow cover.

No significant avalanche activity was reported from Wednesday. Explosive testing at ski resorts produced scattered results with a few wind slabs still active. Backcountry skiers got onto numerous steeper slopes without incident. Our current focus on layering revolves around a rime crust that formed November 14th and the adjacent snow layers. The weakest interface is just below the crust breaking into lower density snow. Most folks report no propagation with extended column tests. Most also agree that this weakness should heal prior to the next system but you’ll no doubt want to watch this as we load it up

Warm and slightly windy conditions are in store for today with partly cloudy skies. Ridgetop temperatures will remain above freezing and southwest winds might increase just a bit more then their current moderate speeds. Warm temperatures will remain through Friday. A prolonged snow event should start sometime Saturday and last into early next week. This will get progressively colder and should produce a couple of feet of snow.

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.

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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 email to uac@utahavalanchecenter.org

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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.

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