AVALANCHE WARNING »
Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent.
Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
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Notice:
The avalanche warning continues for the western Uinta’s. Dangerous human triggered avalanches are very likely on steep slopes. In addition, avalanches can be triggered from a distance and from adjacent slopes. People without expert level backcountry avalanche skills are urged to stay out of the backcountry.
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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 a Level 4 (HIGH) avalanche danger exists. Deep, dangerous, and possibly unsurvivable human triggered avalanches are very likely, especially on steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slopes facing the north half of the compass.
Mid elevation terrain remains suspect and a Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger will be found on steep, northerly facing slopes. Human triggered avalanches are probable on steep wind drifted slopes.
Slopes facing the south half of the compass at mid and low elevations that had no snow prior to the big storm offer Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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A mild westerly flow over Utah is ushering in clouds along with west-northwest winds blowing 20-30 mph along the ridges. Temperatures are in the upper teens and low 20’s. Low angle riding and turning conditions are the ticket for today. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Several large avalanches were remotely triggered in upper Weber Canyon yesterday. Cracking and collapsing of the snowpack continues and there’s an overall spookiness across the range.
Ted posted some great avalanche pics from a trip to Bald Mountain Pass yesterday.
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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Yesterday's remotely triggered avalanche activity shows us the snowpack remains tender and quite reactive and we don't even have to stomp around on it to trigger avalanches. While the snowpack adjusts to the big weekend storm the problem is what the storm fell on and we all know it was a weak, sugary mess. This isn't the kind of foundation I'd build my house on and it sure isn't the kind of structure I'd bet my life on!
Avalanche conditions remain deceptively dangerous. Now that the storm snow has settled somewhat it's gotten stronger, allowing you to get well out onto the slope before the rug gets pulled out from under you. Today you need to avoid being on, under, or adjacent to any steep, wind drifted slope, especially if it faces the north half of the compass. There’s plenty of great over the head and over the hood riding on lower angle slopes where you don't even have to worry about avalanches. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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Today we can expect mostly cloudy skies with periods of light snow. Little accumulation is expected. West and northwest winds will be a nuisance blowing to 50 mph along the high ridges. Temperatures climb into the mid 30’s before dipping into the upper teens overnight. Thursday looks similar with a more substantial storm system affecting the region late Thursday into Friday. |
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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 Thursday, January 26th.
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. |
