Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Salt Lake Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Wednesday - March 30, 2016 - 6:25am
bottom line
The overall avalanche danger is on the high end of MODERATE today. There is a good chance that someone will trigger a large enough avalanche to be dangerous. With all the new snow, wet avalanche activity is also a legitimate concern. Don't just go for your favorite big line right off the get go!! You're going to need to think it through today. Let the snow stability dictate your terrain choice.




current conditions

A trace to an inch of new snow fell overnight and a few more inches did trickle in earlier on Tuesday. Storm totals range from 8 to 19 inches. Southeast wind did stir things up a bit in the higher terrain making the new snow vary in depth from place to place. The wind has really backed off and is generally light from the south. Periods of sun on Tuesday heated the snow surface on the sunny slopes and will be crusted this morning. The more northerly higher terrain is still holding cold dry snow on the surface. Overnight temperatures were pretty cool with readings in the mid teens along the higher ridges.
recent activity

It was a very active day on Tuesday. Most people who got out in the backcountry noted how sensitive the new snow was. While conditions were touchy, they also seemed easy to identify and predictable to a certain extent. Today things probably won't be as touchy thus will be a bit more difficult to predict.

Date Region Place Trigger Depth Width Aspect Elevation Weakness
03/29/2016 Salt Lake West Monitor Natural 20" 60 Northeast 10000 Density Change Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake Lacawaxan Skier 2' 200 East 10700 Density Change Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake Daly Canyon Natural Northeast 7400 Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake Hallway Couloir Skier 12" 50 Northwest 10300 New Snow Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake East Bowl Skier 8" 50 West 9400 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake Y Coulior Natural North 9600 Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake White Pine Skier 12" 100 West 9500 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
03/29/2016 Salt Lake Pink Pine Details

Link to video of a skier triggering an avalanche in the Hallway Coulior
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

A layer of low density snow at the beginning of the storm seems to be the culprit weak layer in the avalanches from the last few days. This layer should stabilize fairly quickly (folks already noting this yesterday) although wind slabs may still release today especially in the areas that received the most snow. Keep in mind that the wind was from the southeast and loaded slopes that are a little out of the ordinary.
Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

You can't hide from the sun at this time of the season. Even short periods of partial clearing can initiate wet activity. This is always most pronounced directly after new snowfall which we just had. Some slopes (sunny aspects) already went through a wet period on Tuesday and will be crusted and more stubborn today. Watch those more "off" aspects and some higher terrain today. Basically, beware of cold snow that gets rapidly heated for the first time. East, south and west aspects should be monitored closely and I would keep an eye on the northeast and northwest as well.
weather

It could be one of those springtime days that flip-flops back and forth between winter and spring. We should see plenty of clouds with occasional periods of snowfall. However, I would also anticipate the sun popping out here and there. Temperatures are going to be a few degrees warmer with ridgetop highs around 30. It will feel much warmer if the sun pops out. Wind should slowly switch more northerly and bump in speed slightly. Things are a bit unsettled on Thursday still then high pressure sets in for the weekend.
general announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

To get help in an emergency (to request a rescue) in the Wasatch, call 911.  Be prepared to give your GPS coordinates or the run name. Dispatchers have a copy of the Wasatch Backcountry Ski map.

Backcountry Emergencies. It outlines your step-by-step method in the event of a winter backcountry incident.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, but no one is hurt and you do not need assistance, please notify the nearest ski area dispatch to avoid a needless response by rescue teams. Thanks.

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Ski Utah mobile snow updates

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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 exist.