Skyline Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Grant Helgeson

AVALANCHE WATCH »

The risk of an avalanche is expected to increase significantly but the timing and location are still uncertain. Stay tuned for updates.
Notice:

Updated: Dec. 18, 2010

Notice:

The Avalanche Watch has been continued for the mountains of northern and central Utah. Heavy wet snow and rain falling on a weak snowpack is creating dangerous avalanche conditions. The avalanche danger will continue to rise all weekend and through early next week. Backcountry travelers should avoid steep slopes and avalanche runout zones.


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

A Level 2 (Moderate) avalanche danger exists above treeline on slopes that face NE, E & SE, due to isolated wind slabs. Evaluate upper elevation terrain carefully and watch for signs of windslabs; fat, rounded pillow like formations. Out of the wind at treeline & below, the avalanche danger is Level 1 (Low).


CURRENT CONDITIONS

It's 14 degrees this morning under mostly cloudy skies & winds are light out of the SW. The 6 inches of snow we received early Wednesday morning will be riding very nicely today in sheltered locations that weren't exposed to Wednesday's big winds.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Early Wednesday morning the Skyline received 6" of nice light density snow. Winds out of the W created soft slabs 6 - 12" in depth in wind exposed areas above treeline.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Wind slabs don't usually have a very long lifespan. While these slabs were very sensitive directly after the storm, I expect that they've mostly settled out by now. However, you may still find a slab lurking above treeline in areas exposed to the wind, slopes that face NE, E & SE. Watch for signs of windslabs; fat, rounded, pillow like snow. Shooting cracks are another great indicator of snow that has some energy in it. Be heads up for these signs, and evaluate terrain above treeline carefully.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

There is quite a bit of snow in the extended forecast. Today will be mostly cloudy with light winds before it begins to snow around midnight. Saturday and Sunday a warm front moves across our area bringing temperatures to near freezing and leaving us with anywhere from 5 - 15" of snow by Sunday night. Monday night a cold front moves across our area bringing temperatures down to the low 20's. As we move into the week, there is a chance of snow every day through next weekend.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

See or trigger an avalanche? I'd like to hear about it. You can reach me on my cell: 801-824-0305, or shoot me an email: grant (at) utahavalanchecenter (dot) org Observers may choose to remain anonymous if they wish.

We are teaching a Snowmobile Avalanche Awareness Course the week of January 5th. Click here for details.

Click here for a refresher on the Avalanche Danger Scale.

Click here for a review on the Danger Rose.

This forecast will be updated by 7:00am Friday December 24th.


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.