There is an Avalanche Warning for the Cottonwood Canyons in the mountains east of Salt Lake City. Snowfall – heavy at times- is creating an increasing avalanche danger. The danger will peak late this afternoon through tonight during the period of heaviest snowfall and stronger winds. Backcountry travelers should plan their travel carefully to avoid steep avalanche terrain and avalanche run out zones later in the day.

UDOT is planning mid day mid canyon avalanche control work with artillery in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The backcountry remains closed on the north side of the road from the south ridge of Superior (gate D) down canyon to the Gate Buttress (Gate B) until around 3 pm. For more information and a map go to UDOT canyon closures UDOT or call (801) 975-4838.

There is a rising avalanche danger today and tonight. A generally MODERATE avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE on steep slopes receiving about 10 or more inches of new snow or anywhere the winds increase and drift the new snow into denser slabs. The weight of a new snow slide could trigger a deep slab avalanche breaking near the ground on northwest through north through easterly facing slopes at the upper elevations.

The storm is definitely improvising rather than following the script, and off to a slow start. Snow amounts are in the 2-6 inch range so far this morning, and temperatures are in the mid teens to low 20s. Winds have shifted from the SW to NW and are very light, averaging less than 15 mph at most locations. It will be “dust on crust” on the south ½ of the compass, with excellent powder on the northerly facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations.

No new avalanches to report from yesterday.

This storm system has been a tough forecast, but at the moment it looks like light to moderate snow will continue in the mountains for much of the day, especially for areas favored by northwest flow. Most locations will have storm totals of 6 to 10”. Later this afternoon through about midnight, conditions for heavier snowfall on a northwesterly flow look good for Little Cottonwood and mid Big Cottonwood, which could still have storm totals of up to 2 feet by Monday morning. Temperatures will remain in the teens and single digits today, and the northwesterly winds will remain light, averaging less than 15 mph until this afternoon, when they may pick up to 20 mph, with gusts to 30. Decreasing snow showers tonight with a break Monday, followed by a moist and windy northwest flow developing Tuesday through Thursday.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams 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.

Salt Lake – Alta Central (801-742-2033)

Ogden – Snowbasin Patrol Dispatch (801-620-1017)

Provo – Sundance Patrol Dispatch (801-223-4150)

Dawn Patrol Forecast Hotline, updated by 05:30: 888-999-4019 option 8.

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Daily observations are frequently posted by 10 pm each evening.

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UDOT canyon closures UDOT at (801) 975-4838

Wasatch Powderbird Guides does daily updates about where they'll be operating on this blog http://powderbird.blogspot.com/ .

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