The avalanche danger is mostly LOW, with a MODERATE danger on some upper-elevation slopes where you may encounter shallow soft slabs of storm snow and/or wind-drifted snow. Sluffing in the new snow is possible on steep, northerly-facing slopes and on any slope warming from the strong April sun.
Today's new snow should bond well to old snow surfaces, but you may encounter:
- sluffing in the new snow on steep slopes;
- shallow wind drifts on upper-elevation slopes, especially north and east aspects;
- minor wet snow sluffing once the sun appears.
Human Factor Research: Researchers Ian McCammon and Sara Boilen are developing new tools for managing human factors for backcountry skiers and boarders. This survey asks about personal experiences with human factors and will take 7-8 minutes to complete. Link is HERE.
No new avalanches were reported in the backcountry. Please let us know what you are seeing as we continue to publish observations.
Photo by L. Barns from Sunday in upper Big Cottonwood Canyon
This Morning: A cold front moved through overnight, dropping temperatures down into the wintry-like 10-20 °F. Winds are from the west/northwest, with gusts in the upper teens mph above 10,000 feet, with gusts in the 20's mph at 11,000 feet. As of 6 am, 2-4 inches of new snow has fallen in the upper Cottonwoods.
Today: Snow showers are possible, with a trace to an inch of new snow. Temperatures will rise into the 30's °F and winds will be from the west and generally light, occasionally gusting in the 20's mph. Skies will alternate between periods of sun and clouds.
Extended: After a brief break on Tuesday, active weather should return by midweek with the potential for 12-18 inches of snow by late week.
We have published February 2026: Four Avalanche Fatalities in Five Days: a community review with most of the UAC Salt Lake office. This 38-minute video is worth sitting down and digesting. A huge thanks to UAC Education Manager & Forecaster McKinley Talty for his hard work putting this together behind the scenes.
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
