BOTTOM LINE

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

Danger Rose Tutorial

The avalanche danger on all steep slopes will rise from Level 1 (LOW) this morning to Level 2 (MODERATE) with daytime heating. Both human triggered wet slabs and sluffs are possible, especially during the heat of the day.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Under mostly cloudy skies, temperatures only dipped into the low to mid 30’s overnight. Southwesterly winds are light, blowing 10-20 mph along the ridges. Last Sunday’s storm delivered 8”-10” of new snow, but warm temperatures and strong sunshine have turned the riding and turning conditions from hero to zero this week. There are, however, a few patches of soft settled powder on high elevation due north facing slopes. Darce and Steve found some good riding yesterday.... click here for their observation along with a good tutorial on deep, strong snow.

RECENT ACTIVITY

No new avalanche activity to report.

THREAT #1

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 24 hours.

Much of the steep terrain surrounding the Skyline has been thoroughly slope tested and ridden hard without incident. While most slopes are good to go, steep, rocky terrain and slopes that avalanched early this season still remain suspect. Of course this makes up a small portion of the terrain out there available for us to ride. However, if you’re getting into big terrain this weekend take a moment and see how the snow is reacting to your sled. If it’s late in the day and you’re bottoming out into weak, wet, sugary snow near the ground, then it’s time to get off the steep hills.

THREAT #2

WHERE

PROBABILITY

SIZE

TREND

Over the next 24 hours.

The combination of strong winds and cloud cover may help to keep the wet avalanche activity at bay. However, if the sun comes out and you feel like an ant under a magnifying glass, simply get off of and out from under steep slopes. In addition, carefully plan your exit strategy so you're not at the bottom of a gully or terrain trap where huge piles of bone crushing debris can bury you very deeply.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A warm and dry southerly flow remains over the region through Sunday. High clouds, temperatures climbing into the 50’s, and southwest winds blowing in the 20’s and 30’s are on tap for today and tomorrow. A quick hitting storm moves through the region late Sunday giving us 2”-4” of new snow by Monday afternoon. High pressure builds for midweek with another weak storm slated for Thursday.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday, March 31st. If you’re getting out and about and trigger an avalanche or see anything interesting please drop me an email at craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170 Also, now is a great time to schedule one of our free avalanche awareness presentations for your group or club. Email or call me and we’ll get you booked before things get too crazy.

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 ourSponsors Pagefor a complete list.

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