Uintas

Our snowpack is sketchy, it's deceptively dangerous, and it teeters on the edge just waiting for a trigger like us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath-

HIGH avalanche danger is found on all steep, mid and upper elevation slopes. The danger is most pronounced in the wind zone at and above treeline, in terrain facing the north half of the compass, particularly on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. Human triggered avalanches are VERY LIKELY. Don't get surprised... low elevation terrain is a player as well and you'll find CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger with human triggered avalanches LIKELY on steep, shady slopes. Lower elevation south facing terrain that had little or no snow snow prior to the big midweek storm offer MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep slopes.

Where to ride today? You can have a blast carving deep trenches or meadow skipping in big open terrain with no overhead hazard, simply meaning... no steep slopes above or adjacent to where you're riding.

Avalanche activity yesterday in the image above from Upper Weber Canyon clearly illustrates the size and scope of our current avalanche problem.

Additional avy activity and a slew of Uinta obs areHERE.

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Nowcast- Clouds began filtering into the region late Thursday and continue in that spirit early this morning ahead of a multi-day storm with its sights squarely set on Utah. Temperatures register in the single digits and low teens while southwest winds are just beginning to ramp up into the mid 20's. Winds are gonna start raking our big open bowls, but lose a little elevation, seek out wind sheltered terrain, and you'll be greeted with outstanding riding and turning conditions on a go-anywhere base.

Forecast- Hang on to yer hats, if you wear 'em! Clouds thicken early this morning, southerly winds begin cranking into the 40's and 50's, and snow develops right around supper time. High temperatures rise into the mid and upper 20's by days end, winds put the hammer down and gust into the 70's, and a warm, wet wave of moisture settles in overnight delivering a foot of snow.

Futurecast- Winds rip tonight and additional dense, heavy snow stacks up, while temperatures remain mild. Saturday and Sunday are warm, wet, and windy. A cold front slides through Sunday night leading to a decrease in snow density to end the storm. There's a bit of uncertainly with exact timing for each wave of weather, but Atmospheric Rivers can light up the western Uinta's. This is the full-meal-deal and the bottom line is... big water, big wind, big snow!

Lots of excellent trip reports and recent obs are found HERE.

Weather stations-

And... we were super busy this summer upgrading the western Uinta weather station network and this real-time winter info is found HERE (click weather stations, and then on the Western Uinta tab)

Observations-

Your observations are important, so please let me know what you're seeing... click HERE and contribute to this amazing community-based program

Please join me Wednesday Jan. 4th at 5:30 and we'll discuss what's going on with our snowpack, our avy danger, and how we can move around in the backcountry safely.

Issued at 03:41 on Friday December 30th, this forecast expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 07:00 Saturday December 31st.

Before it gets too crazy, now is the time to book an avalanche awareness presentation for your group, club, or posse. You can reach Craig directly at 801-231-2170 or [email protected].

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.