Plowing on the Mirror Lake Highway is done for the season, maintenance on Wolf Creek Pass continues. In either case, be aware the Uinta snowpack is much weaker than you might find in neighboring mountains to the east.

In the wind zone at and above treeline, pockets of Level 2 (Moderate) avalanche danger exist in steep, leeward, upper elevation terrain. Human triggered avalanches are possible, especially on slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Out of the wind and at lower elevations the avalanche danger is generally a Level 1 (Low) danger.

High pressure continues to dominate our weather pattern. Above the valley muck, clear skies, relatively warm temperatures, and light winds are what you’ll find. Currently, temperatures are in the mid teens at the trailheads and low to mid 20’s at 10,000’…. same as it is in Salt Lake. Northeasterly winds are light at most locations, but along the highest peaks they’re blowing 10-20 mph. A few minor systems this week gave us a couple inches of snow, but it was little to help our meager snowpack which only totals 12”-20” in depth. It’s thin and rocky out there and with no big storms on the horizon, riding options are becoming more limited.

In late breaking news…. Ted took a look at an avalanche triggered by a group of sledders in the Millcreek area on Dec. 8th. Unfortunately this slide was just recently reported to us. While it’s kind of old news, it is a sign of bigger things to come once winter kicks in. Click here to view Ted’s report.

Click here for recent observations from around the range.

Not much is changing in the weather department. High pressure remains in control of our weather for the foreseeable future. Clear skies are on tap for today and tomorrow with highs reaching into the mid and upper 30’s. Overnight lows dip into the teens. Winds should remain relatively calm and variable, blowing 10-20 mph along the ridges. A weak system on Monday cools temperatures by about ten degrees before the ridge rebounds for mid week. Our next best chance of snow will be on Thursday, but even this storm looks like it will dive well south of the region.

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Sunday, December 18th.

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.