SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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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. |
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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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In the wind zone at upper elevations pockets of Level 4 (HIGH) avalanche danger exist 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.
Wind sheltered low elevation terrain offers a Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger. |
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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A moist, northwest flow is producing scattered snow showers with temperatures in the single digits and low teens. West and northwest winds continue to blow 20-35 mph along the ridges. This week’s series of cold storms has been good to the eastern front where you’ll find over-the-head and over-the-hood riding and turning conditions. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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A skier remotely triggered an avalanche on an upper elevation southeast facing slope in upper Weber Canyon yesterday. Breaking 2.5 ft. deep and about 80’ wide the slide ran close to 400’ vertically.
In addition, a snowcat triggered avalanche pulled out a pocket near Chalk Creek that broke to old snow near the ground.
Click here to view recent observations. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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This is an interesting natural avalanche which broke 2'-3' deep and 1000' wide above the Mill Hollow Reservoir. Click here to view a viddy on snowpack conditions and structure.
Throughout the week, west and southwest winds raged along the upper elevations, and now west-northwest winds are busy at work. Recent strong winds continue to overload 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). Much of our avalanche activity, both natural and human triggered, is failing on this persistent weak layer now buried 2'-4' feet deep. 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. |
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THREAT #2 |
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| WHERE |
PROBABILITY |
SIZE |
TREND |
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Over the next
24 hours.
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This slide was triggered by a snowcat traveling along a ridgeline and broke to old snow near the ground.
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. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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The northwest flow keeps clouds and light snow showers over the region throughout the day. Highs reach into the mid 20’s. West and northwest winds remain strong, gusting into the 50’s and 60’s along the high ridges. They’ll mellow out late in the day and skies begin to clear as high pressure builds for Sunday and Monday. |
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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, March 4th.
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. |
