Lawinenlagebericht

Salt Lake

Veröffentlicht am Feb 26, 2024gültig bis Feb 27, 2024Utah Avalanche Center

Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Today, there is a MODERATE avalanche danger on upper-elevation slopes where it will be possible to trigger wind-drifted snow avalanches near ridgelines and terrain features; and at mid elevations facing east and southeast where you may trigger a persistent weak layer avalanche that breaks on facets above a crust 1'-3' deep. The avalanche danger may rise to MODERATE on other aspects and elevations later this afternoon with the approach of a new storm that is forecast to bring increased wind speeds, new snow and dropping temperatures to the area.

Lawinenprobleme

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible
Größe
2
Sustained strong winds since yesterday have created stubborn slabs of wind-drifted snow on upper-elevation slopes and terrain features. These drifts could be 1'-3' deep and up to 150' wide. Watch for and avoid signs of wind-drifted snow; such as pillow-shaped deposits and rounded smooth areas of snow. Cracking in new wind-drifted snow is a sign that things are unstable and steeper slopes should be avoided. Cornices are signs of wind loading leeward features. Any cornice failure could trigger an avalanche on the slope below. As Greg found yesterday, some of these wind drifts may be reactive if they formed on top of graupel. The graupel layers vary, but they are often found below steeper cliff bands.
Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible
Größe
2
On east-southeast facing slopes at high and mid elevations there is a persistent weak layer (PWL) of facets just above a crust that was buried by new snow on or around February 14. Warm weather and clear skies over the last three days have decreased the likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer, and the facets will continue to heal. This problem is not on every slope and each slope facing east-southeast should be assessed individually before committing to terrain over 30° in steepness. We have been working on shrinking this problem as it appears to be primarily isolated to southeast through east-facing aspects. Read more from my observation in Upper American Fork HERE which includes a list of the most recent avalanches failing on this layer.
Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Unlikely
Größe
2
Elevated winds should keep the wet snow at bay today in upper elevations. Many locations have not seen a refreeze since Saturday morning and these lower elevation slopes are places where you may see wet avalanche activity. Wet snow is the easiest avalanche problem to avoid. Look for and avoid signs that the snow surface is becoming wet; such as rollerballs and pinwheels. If you are sinking into the snow past your boot tops it is time to gain elevation and find dryer snow. Any wet loose avalanches may trigger larger slab avalanches. This problem will decrease with colder temperatures moving in later this afternoon. Reports of glide avalanches in Broads Fork continue to roll in. These large unpredictable avalanches are now part of our story and will be with us until the snow is all melted.

Special Announcement

We are seeking a passionate individual to join us as Executive Director of the nonprofit Utah Avalanche Center.

Recent Activity

Yesterday, Greg found a graupel avalanche in White Pine likely triggered by cornice fall (photo below). There was a catch and carry in Big Springs in the Provo Area Mountains involving wind-drifted snow. On Saturday there was a catch and carry in White Pine involving pushy surface snow.

Snow and Weather

This morning, under partly cloudy skies trailhead temperatures are in the mid 20's with some stations in the low 30's °F, and ridgetop temperatures in the low 20's °F. Winds are blowing from the southwest 15 gusting to 30 MPH at mid-elevations, and westerly 30 gusting to 50 MPH at 11,000 feet with a max gust of 65MPH.

Today, look for increasing clouds, winds blowing from the west-southwest 25 gusting to 35 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines and 35 gusting to 55 MPH at the 11,000' ridgelines. Temperatures should be 33°- 38°F with a freezing level dropping throughout the day. Areas favored by southwest flow could see 1"-3" of snow and .10"-.15" of water by early evening. The frontal passage is forecast to come through around midnight with a drop in temperatures, and an increase in wind speeds with gusts up to 100 MPH, and widespread snowfall overnight.

Our Partners at the National Weather Service have issued a Winter Storm Warning effective from 11AM this morning through 11PM Tuesday night with 10"-20" of snow expected and gusty winds at higher elevations. Read more HERE.

Yesterday, I noted melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects and weak faceted surface snow on the northerlies. There was also snow being transported across the highest ridgelines starting to form stiffer wind drifts and these increased winds were starting to break down some of the surface hoar and near-surface facets that were observed earlier in the weekend. On shaded aspects, there is still soft snow. If you move into steeper terrain, remember that even a loose-dry avalanche can travel far. Have an escape plan if loose surface snow picks up more speed as it can be more than enough mass to carry you off your feet.

Additional Info

Mark discusses the PWL avalanche problem on east-southeast facing aspects in this video a close call on Miller Hill from late last week.

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures