Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Salt Lake Area Mountains Issued by Evelyn Lees for Monday - March 26, 2018 - 5:55am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE at the upper elevations.

Shallow wind drifts, sluffs and new snow soft slabs can be triggered on steep slopes, most likely on northerly through easterly facing slopes. Even a small slide can be serious in radical terrain.

There remains an isolated chance of triggering a Deep Slab avalanche 2 to 5 feet deep on northerly through easterly facing slopes at the upper elevations. Slopes that are rocky or have a shallower snowpack are most suspect, especially in terrain that has slid one or more times this year.




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current conditions

The cooling trend continues – with wintery temperatures in the teens and single digits this morning. Winds are currently from the northwest and light – averaging less than 10 mph at most stations, and 15 to 20 mph at the 11,000’ level.

Light snow is still falling in the mountains, and the hoped for “refresh” is still in progress…24 hour snow totals are currently 1 to 4” in the SLC and PC area mountains, 2 to 8” in the Ogden area mountains and 2 to 4” in the Provo area mountains.

There are supportable crusts beneath the new snow on most aspects and elevations, with upper elevation northerly facing slopes holding the best of the shallow, cold dry snow. The icy crusts will not soften for the next few days, so be prepared for hard, “slide for life” conditions on many aspects in steep terrain.

recent activity

No new avalanches were reported yesterday.

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

Sluffs, shallow wind slabs and new snow slabs can be triggered today on steep slopes, especially at the upper elevations. Friday’s loose graupel sitting above the hard crusts would be the weak layer for the slab avalanches. While these slides would be shallow, the terrain you are in will make a difference – even a small slide is serious if a ride would carry you off a cliff, into trees or down a long, icy slope.

Greg Gagne and Mark Johnston made a great video showing the “graupel above the crust” layering.

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

At upper elevations it is still possible to trigger an avalanche in very isolated places breaking on a deep weak facet layer. Slopes with a shallower snow pack are most suspect – including those that have slid one or more times this year or are steep and rocky. It’s a low probability of triggering a slide, but high consequences if you do.

weather

The coldest air of the storm system is coming across the lake, producing lake effect snow bands. Another 1 to 3” of snow is possible this morning. Then, winds will shift to the north, cutting off the snow, and skies will become partly cloudy by this afternoon. Wind speeds are forecast to remain light, averaging below 15 mph at the mid elevations, and 20 mph at the highest elevations. Temperatures will only warm into the teens and low 20s. The upcoming week looks quiet, with a slow warming trend, though there is a chance for a few snow showers Tuesday.

general announcements

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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 occur.