Lawinenlagebericht

Uintas

Utah Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
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Kernpunkte

Today's avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at mid and upper elevations on slopes that have a northerly component. In this terrain, it is LIKELY that we can remotely trigger persistent slab avalanches breaking 3-6' deep failing on faceted snow. Elsewhere, MODERATE danger exists at mid and upper-elevations on leeward slopes where it is POSSIBLE to trigger wind-drifts that formed overnight.

Yesterday's activity confirms the hazard at play and I am sticking with my strategy of avoiding slopes with a persistent weak layer all together. But no stress, great riding exists on low angle slopes in protected terrain out of the windzone where sun and wind are yet to have their way with things.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    3

    Slopes harboring persistent weak layers have really shown their teeth this past weekend, are specific to slopes facing west through north through southeast at mid and upper-elevations. Riders triggered large and small avalanches on this set of complex weak layers buried 2-4' beneath the surface.

    The past few days showcased this problem in all its glory as riders triggered large avalanches from a distance taking out a hundred tracks and the entire seasons snowpack. We are seeing less red flags like cracking and collapsing, but recent avalanches are the most valuable sign of danger. I keep steering clear of this problem and towards lower angle, non-avalanche terrain on the polars, where there is cold snow but I chose my terrain wisely and reduce my stress to the mess of triggering a big avalanche.

    This avalanche from Soapstone Mountain broke on a shallow, rocky, east facing slope at 9,800'. Tracks on a slope do not mean it is safe to ride. Whether it is on the first pull or the hundreth, all we need to do is find the sweet spot and the walls will come crashing down.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2

    West southwest winds blew since yesterday averaging 30 MPH at 10,000' creating soft and hard wind drifts the the east half of the compass and mid and upper-elevations. Today's wind drift will be slightly bigger than yesterday, 1-2' deep and more sensitive. Look for fat, rounded pillows off ridges and keep your eyes out for textured snow that looks affected by wind and is either scoured or loaded.

    As motorists we don't think about windslabs like a skier or boarder may but remember that any piece of snow, no matter the size, can drag you into a terrain trap or consequential runout and make for a bad ending to the story. This is a straight-forward avalanche problem managed with good travel protocol, and simply more, avoided by getting out of the windzone and into sheltered terrain.

    A fat chunk of wind-drifted snow failing naturally right below a cornice on an east facing, upper elevations slope at 11,000' off the Mirror Lake Corridor.

Recent Activity

Activity was spread across the range from north to south. Multiple avalanches were remotely triggered yesterday, ending with a close call near the Buck Knoll. Here, a rider got his rig stuck on the steep, stout slope and as his partner came to assist and triggered the avalanche. Check out the great video and detailed report, here -- Thank you for sharing!

In addition, check out intel from across the range and beyond, here.

A north facing slope at 8,500' than ran into an abrupt bench where the close call occured. This crew got lucky and had eyes on their partner and were at the ready when they triggered this small sliope that stacked up a sizeable debris pile on the natural bench below.

Snow and Weather

Nowcast

After a warm and spring-like weekend the trend continues heading into the start of the work week with a partly cloudy morning and 9,000’ temperatures at 32℉ as of 0500 AM. West, southwest winds are doing their part and keeping things cool up high with average 20-30 MPH winds gusting into the 30’s and 40’s at points.

Forecast

Expect mostly clear skies today with 9,000’ temperatures creeping up towards the mid 30’s. West northwest winds continue in similar fashion with speeds in the 20’s and gusts to 30’s at points along the high ridges helping to push out some clouds this afternoon.

Futurecast

Following this warm spell, a cold front returns to the region Tuesday night and into Wednesday setting us up for high pressure into the weekend.

General Announcements

We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. In the meantime reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:

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. This forecast was issued on Sunday, February 23rd at 03:30 AM and expires 24 hours after it was issued.

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