Abajos

With a strong sun and warm temperatures, the danger for wet avalanches will rise to MODERATE today. Signs of instability include pinwheels, rollerballs, and point release sluffs. Get off of and out from under steep slopes that become wet and sloppy. .There also remains an isolated or MODERATE danger for triggering an avalanche on a buried persistent weak layer of loose, sugary, faceted snow. Areas of very steep, rocky, radical terrain where the snowpack is shallow and weak are the most suspect.

This will be the last weekend for regularly scheduled forecasts.

The Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University is conducting an online survey to examine how people use avalanche safety information. They want to hear from all backcountry users to understand how they process information provided in public avalanche forecasts. Anyone who completes the survey before May 15th will be entered to win cash prizes.

Uncertainty, Risk, & Decision Making: before, during, and after COVID-19 - Read this thought-provoking blog post about how we take risks by guest author Tom Diegel.

Weather: Skies are clear and we had another good re-freeze last night. Look for sunny skies today, light to moderate westerly winds, and high temps in the mid 40's. Tonight, a short wave trough and associated cold front will drop in from the north bringing clouds, increasing NW winds, and a slight chance for snow showers. Temperatures will crash into the teens tonight, and skies should clear tomorrow. High temps on Sunday will be in the low 30's. We'll remain under a cold, NW flow through Wed.

Snowpack: With a solid freeze last night we should see a return to corn snow conditions today. Some soft snow can still be found on shady, upper elevation, northerly aspects but it's getting harder to find. In some of these areas, a layer of weak, sugary, faceted snow exists deeper in the snowpack. In isolated cases, it may be possible to trigger an avalanche down to this buried weak layer. Areas of very steep, rocky, radical terrain where the snowpack is shallower and weaker are the most suspect.

NWS Weather Forecast.

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.

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.

This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.