Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

AVALANCHE WARNING »

Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent. Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Notice:

An Avalanche Warning is in effect the mountains of northern and central Utah, including the western Uinta's. Strong winds and dense heavy snow has created a HIGH avalanche danger. People should avoid steep wind drifted slopes.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great sadness to report yet another avalanche accident which resulted in the death of 24-year-old Timothy Robert Baker of Salt Lake City. He was killed in a backcountry avalanche he triggered in Dutch Draw. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the friends and family of Mr. Baker.

BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

In the wind zone at upper elevations a Level 4 (HIGH) avalanche danger exists for both fresh wind drifts and for deeper slides in terrain where a strong slab overlays a thin, weak snowpack. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep wind drifted slopes, especially those with an easterly component to their aspect.

At mid elevations a Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) avalanche danger will be found and human triggered avalanches are probable on all steep wind drifted slopes.

A Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger will be found in lower elevation, wind sheltered terrain.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Skies are clear, northwest winds blowing 20-30 mph., and temperatures are in the single digits.

RECENT ACTIVITY

Avalanches everywhere, particularly on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. Yesterday Trent and I remotely triggered a hard slab, 1'-4' deep from about 100' feet away. Click here for details.

Click here to view recent observations.

THREAT #1
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Nuking west and southwest winds from Wednesday nights storm formed hard, cohesive slabs on the leeward side of ridges, around terrain features like chutes and gullies, and lower downslope than you might expect. Drifting is widespread and today’s slabs will be break deeper than you’d anticipate.

THREAT #2
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Not much has changed with our problem child, the weak snow near the ground, especially where the snowpack remains thin and a strong slab overlays weak sugary snow. Unless you dig down to investigate the strong snow over weak snow setup, conditions will feel bomber and good to go under our sled. This is exactly the kind of combination that lures us well out onto the slope before it fails and we’re off to the races. In steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass, you can still trigger a deep, dangerous slide that breaks to the dirt. Today you’ll need to continue re-evaluating your terrain choices and think about the consequences of triggering a slide.

THREAT #3
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Cornices have grown large and can break back further than you might expect.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Sunny skies with temperatures warming into the low 30's is on tap as brief high pressure builds for the region today. Northwesterly winds will average in the teens with gusts in the 20's along the high ridges. Winds increase on Saturday ahead of a storm similar to the last. Lots of huff, but not much fluff.

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, February 27th.

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

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 our Sponsors Page for a complete list.