Very dangerous avalanche conditions and HIGH danger exist at all elevations today. Large, long running natural and human triggered avalanches are likely in the backcountry.
Heavy inverted new snow accumulated quickly yesterday on slopes with a few inches light loose and cold snow sitting on top of a widespread slick and solid melt-freeze crust from last week's warm spell. Human triggered and natural soft slab avalanches consisting of new snow are likely. Natural activity is most likely during periods of particularly heavy snowfall.
Rain saturated the snow on lower elevation slopes and wet avalanches are likely. Wet avalanches are possible in low elevation areas where they may impact unsuspecting people who don't normally prepare for avalanches, like runners, dog walkers, and fishermen.
West winds continued overnight, and there is plenty heavy new snow to move around. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist and will become more widespread today. Natural and human triggered avalanches of wind drifted snow are likely in exposed terrain at all elevations.
Avoid ridge top cornices, which can break much further back than expected and start avalanches on slopes below.
Shooting cracks like this from yesterday are a sure sign of instability.
We easily and intentionally triggered a good sized avalanche yesterday in Hatties Bowl above Rick Springs in Logan Canyon. The 1' deep and 100' wide avalanche cracked released after we dropped a very small chunk of cornice on it.
IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MST THURSDAY TO 6 AM MST SATURDAY
FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN UTAH INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...UINTA MOUNTAINS
THE AVALANCHE DANGER WILL BECOME HIGH ON MANY SLOPES AT DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS AND ASPECTS.
HEAVY DENSE SNOW AND WINDS UP TO 100 MPH HAVE CREATED CREATED WIDESPREAD AREAS OF UNSTABLE SNOW. BOTH HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.
It's 28°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel, and there is about 9 inches of new snow with 3.0" of Snow Water Equivalent in the last 24 hours. There is now 88 inches of total snow, containing 133% of normal SWE. West winds continued to be strong overnight, and are currently blowing close to 30 mph, with a 56 mph gust early this morning at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, and it's 22°F at 9700'. Accumulations of very heavy snow, rain at lower elevations, and sustained strong westerly winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions in the backcountry. Large and long running natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. People should avoid travel in avalanche terrain today. Stay off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees and well clear of obvious and historic avalanche run out zones.
It will snow heavily in the mountains again today, with 6 to 10 inches of snow possible by this evening. 8500' high temperatures are expected to be around 28°F, with 32 to 38 mph west winds, and gusts close to 60 mph. Tonight, snow showers will tapper off, with 1 to 3 inches possible. Overnight temperatures will be around 27°F, and it will be breezy, with west winds 21 to 26 mph. More snowfall and gusty westerly winds will continue tomorrow, with 3 to 7 additional inches possible and 25 to 31 mph west winds.
Here's what we saw in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness earlier in the week.
Dangerous roof avalanches are possible due to warming temperatures and rain at lower elevations in the Bear Lake Area and other in snowy mountain valley areas where heavy snow has built up on roofs.
Are you looking to improve your avalanche skills? We are offering a Backcountry 101: Introduction to Avalanches class at Powder Mountain February 14-15. Info and sign up HERE
The anual CROWBAR backcountry ski race will be on Saturday, February 8. The unique and classic backcountry race will be held at the Swan Flat/Garden City Trailhead in upper Logan Canyon. There are four divisions (Junior, Recreation, Heavy Metal & Race) with different climbs, descents, and technical booters. Participants must carry avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and can use alpine touring gear, telemark skis, or splitboards. Register on UltraSignup, or sign up to volunteer at this year's race!
Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets HERE.
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This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
I will update this forecast before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.
