AVALANCHE WARNING »
Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent.
Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
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Notice: An Avalanche Warning remains in effect for the Western Uinta Mountains. Strong winds, coupled with dense, heavy snow has created a HIGH avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are very likely. Backcountry travel is not recommended. |
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
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Danger Rose Tutorial
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At and above treeline in the wind zone a Level 4 (HIGH) avalanche danger exists. Deep, dangerous and possibly unsurvivable human triggered avalanches are very likely, especially on steep wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass.
Out of the wind a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger exists on northerly facing terrain at lower elevations and human triggered avalanches are possible on any steep snow covered slope.
Slopes facing the south half of the compass at mid and low elevations offer Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Light snow showers overnight stacked up an additional 3” of dense snow. South and southwest winds cranked yesterday afternoon, averaging 40 mph with gusts in the 60’s. They mellowed out slightly around midnight and are currently blowing 25-40 mph along the ridges. It remains quite warm with temperatures in the mid to upper 20’s. The snow is inverted and breaking trail is a wallowfest. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Lots of widespread collapsing, along with both natural and human triggered avalanches were reported throughout the range. Check out this great video Trent put together of our field day in Upper Weber Canyon.
Ted was over at Boundary Creek and reported similar conditions.
Click here for recent observations. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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It’s no mystery…. avalanche conditions have become dangerous. Our historically weak snowpack was no match for the recent round of dense, heavy, Spring-like snow and nuking winds. Yesterday we experienced widespread collapsing and booming whoomphs, witnessed avalanches in unusual terrain and on slopes you’d normally go to ride on when the avalanche danger is elevated, and of course, got to see deep, dangerous avalanches breaking to weak snow near the ground. It sounds like a complicated picture with lots of moving parts, but it’s pretty straight forward. Any steep slope that had old pre-existing snow prior to the recent storm should be considered suspect and avoided. It doesn’t mean you can’t go riding. It does mean you’re gonna have to exercise some patience. Remember- you can have a blast carving low angle meadows with no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you’re riding. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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Snow showers should wind down throughout the day. We can expect a brief break in the weather late this afternoon through this evening before moisture spreads into the area again ahead of the next approaching storm system. West and northwest winds backoff during the day and should average 15-25 mph with a few gusts in the 40’s. Temperatures don’t vary much from where we’re at this morning and only dip into the mid to low 20’s overnight. Winds ramp back up as a powerful storm is expected Saturday through Saturday night with heavy wet snow. |
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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, January 21st.
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 |
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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. |
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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. |
