Wasatch
Cache National Forest
In partnership with: The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center, Utah Department of Public Safety Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, and Utah State Parks
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Good Morning. This is Ethan Greene with the
Current Conditions:
Mountain temperatures showed
significant variation last night with some areas dropping into the mid 20’s and
others remaining in the mid 30’s. It
appears the freezing level was near 8,000’ at most locations. Skies have been mostly cloudy overnight, and there
is a trace of new snow. The wind has
generally been from the west in the 15 mph range. Along the highest peaks the wind has been
blowing in the 30 mph range with gusts over 50 mph.
Sun crusts cover most south, east,
and west facing slopes. While dense
powder remains on northerly aspects.
Yesterday’s warm temperatures dampened the snow below about 8,000’.
Avalanche Conditions:
Yesterday’s spring like
weather would have been welcome if it wasn’t January. Over the last two days we have seen unseasonably
warm temperatures in the
Yesterday I traveled along
the Mill Creek/Big Cottonwood Canyon ridgeline and found many thick wind drifts
that formed during the last week. These
drifts were quite firm and did not have much of a reaction as I walked across
them. However if you found a thin spot
the weak snow near the ground would collapse creating a large whoofing sound. In
one of the steep chutes off of Wilson Peak, which faces northeast at about
9,500’, I was able to jump around on a deep drift without any results, but by skiing
onto a subridge I triggered an avalanche 1 to 2’ deep
and 70’ wide (photo1, photo2).
Backcountry skiers were also able
to trigger slides on northwest and northeast aspects of
Out of our area, but still of
interest, a snowmobiler was caught and buried on a steep east facing slope near
Tower Mountain in the Daniel’s Summit Area.
Fortunately he got one hand above the snow surface and his companions were
able to dig him out with only minor injuries.
Many areas below 8,000’ may a
marginal refreeze this morning.
Temperatures should be cooler most of the day, but until the snow cools
wet slide potential remains in low elevation areas.
Bottom Line (SLC,
The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on slopes
facing northwest, north, northeast and east, above about 8,500’ and about 35
degrees or steeper; that’s about the steepness of a black diamond slope at a
ski resort. Human triggered avalanches
are probable in these areas. The danger
of wet slides will be decreasing from MODERATE today in areas below 8,000’. On
southerly facing slopes the avalanche danger is generally LOW.
Mountain Weather:
A weak low pressure system
will move through northern
General Information:
For more details on recent
avalanche activity call 364-1591.
Wasatch Powderbird Guides
will not be flying today.
The Friends of the Utah
To report backcountry snow
and avalanche conditions, especially if you observe or trigger an avalanche,
call (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email to [email protected] or fax to
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.
I will update this advisory by
Thanks for calling!
________________________________________________________________________
National
Weather Service - Salt Lake City - Snow.
For an explanation of
avalanche danger ratings: