Salt Lake Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Brett Kobernik

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

Most areas in the Wasatch have a generally LOW danger today. However, there is a "pockety" MODERATE danger in areas where the wind is transporting snow into fresh drifts. This is mainly along upper elevation ridges and more pronounced on the lee side.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Winds have picked up slightly over the highest terrain gusting into the 60s from a westerly direction. A slight drop in elevation down to say the 9 to 10,000 foot range and the speeds are quite a bit slower. Temperatures rose a few degrees overnight and are sitting in the mid 20s. Snow showers quickly tapered off Friday morning leaving only around 3 inches total new snow. Some light snow flurries were occuring as of 6am this morning.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Wow, there was actually a little avalanche activity to talk about from Friday but don't get on the edge of your seats just yet. Snow safety workers on Friday reported some small new snow soft slabs were released from slope cuts. Also, a backcountry skier near Mt Ogden reported some minor natural activity in the form of very small and shallow pockets that released as slabs. These were on very steep northerly slopes and had a weakness of a facet/crust combination. (Click HEREfor a snowpit documenting the current snow structure. The weakness at this location was not as pronounced as some other observers have noted)


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Fresh drifts of wind blown snow will be the main concern for today. These won't pose much threat for burial but rather the potential for an unpleasant surprise of being knocked over and potentially injured. You'll find these mainly along the upper elevation ridges and more pronounced on the lee sides.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A moist northwesterly flow will provide the chance for scattered light snow flurries today. Ridgetop temperatures will be in the mid 20s and ridgetop winds will be from the northwest in the 10 to 20 mph range gusting into the 30s. The most exposed locations will continue to see gusts in the 50s and 60s. A ridge of high pressure moves east on Sunday and into Monday producing seasonably mild temperatures ahead of a shortwave trof that could produce a little snow on Tuesday.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We'll do daily morning forecast through out the holiday weekend.

Check out upcoming events such as free avalanche talks and fundraisers on our CALENDAR.

If you want to get this avalanche advisory e-mailed to you daily click HERE.

For a text only version of this advisory click HERE.

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).

The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work. To find out more about how you can support our efforts to continue providing the avalanche forecasting and education that you expect please visitour Friends page.

If you’re getting out and see anything we should know about please let us know. You can leave 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.


This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.