An Avalanche Warning has been issued for the mountains of Utah including mountains near Logan, the Wasatch Mountains, the Central and Southern Utah mountains and the Western Uinta mountains. New snow accumulation has overloaded pre-existing weak snow causing both natural and human triggered avalanches. The avalanche danger is rated HIGH. More snow is expected today which will deteriorate avalanche conditions further. People with out expert level snow assessment and backcountry travel skills are urged to stay out of the mountains.

The avalanche danger is HIGH. Natural avalanches are most likely occurring now. Human triggered avalanches are probable. People without expert level snowpack assessment and backcountry travel skills are urged to stay out of the mountains.

12 to 18 inches of snow has fallen over the last 36 hours or so. This is fairly evenly distributed from Ogden through Provo. Densities were light to start and have increased producing an inverted feel. Temperatures are in the upper teens to mid 20s. Southwesterly winds have been gusty over the last 24 hours drifting snow quite a bit. Gusts have been in the 20 to 30 mph range along the mid elevation ridges and 30 to 40 mph range along the highest terrain.

All observations from Saturday included widespread collapsing and cracking. There were a handful of naturals with the largest being 150' wide and 18" deep. Numerous class 1 soft slabs were reported from throughout the range. There was a partial burial in MacDonalds Draw where a skier was buried to his waist. There was also a full burial off Cardiac Ridge in Cardiff Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon where the victim was blue after being dug out but started breathing and ended up being ok. Check "Current Conditions" in the top menu for more details.

Snow is expected during the day today. We may see a brief break later this morning then the trof axis will settle in for another shot into this evening. Another 1 to 1.5 inches of water is expected to produce another 12 to 18 inches of snow. Southwest winds will continue to be gusty then taper off this afternoon. Ridgetop temperatures will be in the low to mid 20s. Snowfall should linger into Monday.

We are recording our early morning phone line, (1-888-999-4019, option 8), with avalanche information, by 5:30 am – it’s a good source for dawn patrollers. Also, many of the day’s observations are posted on line under Current Conditions by 10 pm each evening.

Pro Riders Workshop at Snowbird The Utah Avalanche Center and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort are partnering to offer the first annual Freeride Avalanche Summit, Dec.17-18. The two-day clinic targets advanced and expert skiers and riders who want practical and professional instruction on avalanche awareness, safety and rescue. The Freeride Avalanche Summit includes a unique blend of instruction that combines the expertise of industry leading avalanche forecasters with the experience and influence of local, professional athletes. Click here for more info and to register- http://www.snowbird.com/freerideavalanchesummit.html

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UDOT highway avalanche control work info can be found by calling (801) 975-4838. Our statewide toll free line is 1-888-999-4019 (early morning, option 8).

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We appreciate avalanche and snow observations. If there’s something we should know about give us a call 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.

Drew Hardesty will update this forecast on Monday morning. And thanks for calling.