AVALANCHE WATCH »
The risk of an avalanche is expected to increase significantly
but the timing and location are still uncertain. Stay tuned for updates.
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Notice: An avalanche watch has been issued for the western Uinta mountains. Heavy snowfall starting overnight continuing into Sunday is expected to increase the avalanche danger through the Holiday weekend. |
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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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A Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger exists in steep, northerly terrain at upper elevations in the wind zone, especially on slopes where a strong slabs overlays a thin, weak snowpack. Human triggered avalanches are probable, but isolated to a small portion of the riding terrain available.
At mid elevations a Level 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger will be found and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep, northerly facing slopes.
Slopes facing the south half of the compass offer a Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Skies remained clear overnight allowing temperatures to dive into the single digits and low teens. West and northwesterly winds are light, blowing 10-20 mph along the high ridges. Sunny slopes have taken on some heat and are a bit crusty, but the surface snow on shady slopes is light and fast, proving excellent riding and turning conditions. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Upper elevation north facing slopes continue to produce heart stopping collapses, but no new avalanche activity to report.
Huge thanks to Kendall, Matt, and Ian for the great observations this week. Click here to view. |
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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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Trent and I have been stomping around in Chalk Creek finding the continued theme of strong snow resting on weak sugary snow which formed during the historic December dry spell. It’s amazing we’re still talking about weak snow near the ground and here it is the middle of February. But, this is the Uinta’s after all and this type of snowpack is what we’re used to dealing with…. just not usually this late in the season.
While our snowpit stability tests continue to produce failures near the ground, the limited amount of avalanche activity suggests the snowpack is happy in its own skin and you need to find the right combination of a strong slab resting over a thin weak section of the snowpack in order to rile the weak layer and trigger a dangerous avalanche. While chances of this occurring are isolated, the results would be devastating. The most likely terrain you’d encounter this condition is steep, upper elevation, rocky terrain facing the north half of the compass. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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Clouds will be streaming in late this afternoon ahead of a good looking cold front slated to impact the region late tonight into Sunday. West and southwest winds increase throughout the day and should be gusting into the 30’s by about dinner time. High temperatures reach into the upper 20’s before diving into the teens overnight when the cold front arrives. Snow develops after midnight and should be heavy at times through tomorrow with accumulations in the 10”-18” range by Monday morning. The storm clears out for Monday with another trough scheduled to arrive late in the week. |
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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 Sunday, February 19th.
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. |
