AVALANCHE WARNING »
Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent.
Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
|
 |
Notice: An Avalanche Warning remains in effect for the western Uinta Mountains. Strong winds and recent snowfall have created a HIGH avalanche danger. Deep, dangerous human triggered avalanches are likely. People should stay off of and out from under steep wind drifted terrain. |
|
|
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
 |
Looking for a safe way to ride Utah's powder during High backcountry avy danger? Click here for discounted lift tickets provided through a great partnership with local ski resorts and Ski Utah. |
|
|
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 avalanches which can break into a variety of weak layers. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep wind drifted slopes, especially those with an easterly component to their aspect.
At mid elevations, human triggered avalanches are probable and a Level 3 (CONSIDERABLE) danger will be found on all steep wind drifted slopes.
Winds even got into low elevation terrain, loading slopes facing the north half of the compass. A Level 2 (MODERATE) danger exists on steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow and human triggered avalanches are possible. |
|
|
CURRENT CONDITIONS |
|
Light snow is falling and temperatures are in the single digits as the last gasp from an active storm pattern moved through the region early this morning. 4” of light density snow fell overnight, winds switched to the north around 2:00 this morning and are blowing 20-35 mph along the ridges. Storm totals are nearing two feet, ensuring epically deep riding and turning conditions today. |
|
|
RECENT ACTIVITY |
|
Natural avalanches 2’-3’ deep were reported throughout the region.
Click here to view recent observations. |
|
|
THREAT #1 |
|
| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Over the next
24 hours.
|
|
|
Throughout the storm, west and southwest winds raged along the upper elevations, overloading a weak layer of near surface facets and surface hoar formed during a clear, cold spell on February 7th. (Click here for a recap of Tuesday's field day). This was the culprit weak layer that led to at least a half dozen human triggered slides last Friday and much of this weeks avalanche activity broke to this weak layer as well. Don't get fooled into thinking we're just dealing with new snow instabilities. Human triggered avalanches will be deeper and break wider than you might expect. |
|
|
THREAT #2 |
|
| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Over the next
24 hours.
|
|
|
Snow and water totals are starting to stack up and deep, dangerous avalanches that break to weak snow near the ground, aren't out of the question. Steep, rocky, upper elevation, north facing terrain where a thin, weak snowpack is connected to strong snow or terrain that avalanched near the ground in mid January are likely suspects. |
|
|
MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
|
Light snow will continue to fall this morning, though accumulations will only be in the 1”-3” range. Northerly winds remain pretty burly along the ridges, blowing 15-30 mph and temperatures only climb into the low teens. We’ll probably see some clearing around midday, before clouds slide into the region and light snow develops. Cloudy skies with occasional snow showers continue through Saturday. Sunday will be sunny and warm. |
|
|
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, March 3rd.
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. |
