Boletín de aludes

Provo

Publicado el Mar 26, 2020válido hasta el Mar 27, 2020Utah Avalanche Center

Peligro de aludes

Alta montaña
Límite del bosque
Bajo el límite del bosque

Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 6 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Today the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at upper elevations where snowfall and gusty winds will make conditions dangerous. There were avalanches triggered yesterday and more should occur today. At mid elevations the danger is MODERATE and at low elevations the danger is LOW.

Problemas de aludes

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta montaña
Límite del bosque
Bajo el límite del bosque
Probabilidad
Likely
Tamaño
2
This morning's gusty winds drifted the new snow and created a dense layer of snow on top of lighter snow that fell yesterday. This upside-down snow should be obvious because you will see a smooth or rippled texture on the snow surface. You should also feel this upside down snow if you get out of a skin track and walk through undisturbed snow.

Today I would simply avoid ANY slope that has wind drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. Upside down snow is a classic recipe for avalanches.

The trouble is that snow will keep falling today and winds should ease. The new snow will make it harder to identify these wind drifted slopes visually but you should still feel them with your skis or boards because the snow feels "punchy" as you break through the denser snow into the lighter snow underneath it.
Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta montaña
Límite del bosque
Bajo el límite del bosque
Probabilidad
Likely
Tamaño
2
Yesterday's avalanches are a clear sign that the new snow needs more time to bond with underlying snow. The weight and stress of new snow this morning will keep this instability alive today.

This problem appears to be mostly above 9500 feet but I am unsure how widespread it is. Some people reported a good bond between the new snow and old snow on other slopes. So there you have it, you'll have to be a detective, but now is not a good time to take any chances.

The simple solution is to ride slopes less than 30 degrees in steepness where avalanches won't occur.

Special Announcement

UAC operating schedule - We will continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into mid-April. Spring Awareness Campaign - The UAC counts on donations from the backcountry community. We know these are uncertain times, and any donation during our awareness campaign will help us continue providing avalanche forecasting and education.

CDC Guidelines - Even in the backcountry and in parking lots, please follow CDC guidelines like limiting group size and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people to protect yourself and others. Don't carpool with anyone outside of your household. Read the guidelines HERE.

Taking risks - Be extra conservative to avoid the risk of accidents, which can stress the capacity of our medical system.

Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.

New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.

Recent Activity

Yesterday in the Cottonwood Canyons, there were 8 soft slab avalanches triggered in the new snow. All were about a foot deep and 25-125 feet wide and generally occurring above 9500 feet. Most occurred on northerly facing slopes, but two occurred on southerly facing slopes where the new snow had not bonded to an ice crust underneath.

Many of them likely failed on some graupel that fell early this week. Below is a photo of one I triggered on Little Water Peak.

Snow and Weather

Snow: Overnight an additional 2 inches of snow fell and it is still snowing. Total snowfall this week is 9-12 inches (1 inch of water).

This morning temperatures are in the mid to upper 20s F. Winds were mostly light yesterday but increased some yesterday afternoon and overnight. This morning winds are still a bit gusty. They are averaging 15 mph from the south-southwest and gusting 20-30 mph.

Today, steady snowfall should continue into mid morning and then becoming more intermittent bringing another 1-3 inches of snow. Cloudy skies will prevent temperatures from warming beyond the lower 30s F. Winds should calm later this morning when they shift to the northwest.

The new snow is generally right side up on wind-sheltered slopes - meaning the upper layers are lighter and lower layers are denser HOWEVER gusty winds this morning created a denser layer of snow on top of lighter snow.

General Announcements

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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