Uintas

Heads up... avalanche conditions begin changing later today and tonight as a good shot of snow, water, and wind materializes through Friday. This morning there's just barely enough snow to move around on and you'd really have to go out of your way to trigger a slide. As the storm starts kicking in gear, look for and avoid fresh wind drifts on the leeward side of the highest terrain as they'll react to our additional weight. And remember... even a small avalanche this time of year will reveal a myriad of season ending obstacles. So, if you're hiking, hunting, snowshoeing or out for a high elevation peak bagging circuit you'll want to look for and avoid any steep, wind drifted slope.

Huge thanks to Young Powersports of Bountiful for their continued partnership and support this year by providing two sweet loaner sleds to the UAC this winter. Their commitment to avalanche forecasting, outreach, and education is unparalleled and we deeply appreciate their support.

Also... it's Avalanche Week and there's a ton of great events going on throughout the state. Click HEREto find something near you!

No recent avalanche activity to report, but JG submitted the pit profile above from his travels yesterday near Bald Mountain. His take on the state of snow structure along with a stellar observation is found HERE.

Observations, trip reports, and avalanches found here.

NOWCAST-

A thick band of clouds drapes our mountains, but underneath, 3" of medium density snow stacked up overnight... and that's just the opening act! Southwest winds have been busy at work along the ridges, blowing in the 30's and 40's and temperatures hover in the low to mid 20's. Riding and turning options are a bit on the bleak side and limited to road rides and rock free, low angle meadows.

FORECAST-

A solid shot of snow marches towards the Uinta's and begins stacking up in the next couple hours. Today we can expect southwest winds blowing in the 30's along the ridges and temperatures don't vary much from where we're at this morning. Snow totals by days end should be in the 6"-10" range.

FUTURECAST-

A break in the action tonight before another trailing system slides through the area around sunrise on Friday, bringing an additional round of snow and colder air. Storm totals in the 12"-16" range still look like a good bet.

Looking for real-time temps, snow, or wind?

Click HERE and then on the "western Uinta" tab for western Uinta specific, weather station network.

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As part of Avalanche Awareness Week, please join author Ed Power and I tonight at 6:00 in the PC Library for a presentation and readings from Dragons in the Snow.

The information in this forecast expires 24 hours after the day and time posted, but will be updated by 07:00 Friday December 10th.

Before it gets too crazy, now is the time to book an avalanche awareness presentation for your group, club, or posse. You can reach me 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.