Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Dec 16, 2025valid to Dec 17, 2025Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is mostly LOW and avalanches are unlikely. On some isolated, upper-elevation, northerly-facing slopes, there is a MODERATE danger where it is possible to trigger a slab avalanche 1-2 feet deep failing on a persistent weak layer down near the ground.

With snow and strong winds in the forecast, expect a rising avalanche danger over the next few days.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
2
There is a widespread persistent weak layer (PWL) of faceted snow on northerly-facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations. On some upper-elevation slopes, there is a stronger slab on top of the PWL where it is possible to trigger an avalanche. Observers have also noted the entire snowpack is now nearly all facets:

Mark White in Cardiac Bowl

Sam Kapacinskas in Catherine's Pass

John Lemnotis on 10,420

Our locator rose shows where this PWL exists: mid and upper elevation aspects facing northwest through northeast, including upper-elevation aspects facing west and east. A common theme from the three observations is that, although the PWL is present, it is currently not a widespread problem as we lack a slab on top of the facets, but with heavy, dense snow and strong winds forecasted, expect a rising avalanche danger as we place a load on top of this PWL.

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Recent Activity

No backcountry avalanches have been reported in over a week.

Snow and Weather

This Morning: Temperatures are in the upper 20's °F to low 30's °F. Winds are blowing from the west/northwest and have increased overnight, with gusts of 15-20 mph along exposed mid and upper elevation ridges, with stronger gusts near 40 mph at 11,000 feet. Skies are partly cloudy.

Today: Temperatures will be somewhat cooler today than they have been for over a week, rising into the mid and upper 30's °F, with 11,000 foot temperatures near 30° F. Winds will be from the west/northwest, with gusts in the 20's mph at 10,000 feet and near 30 mph at 11,000 feet. Skies will become partly to mostly cloudly.

Looking ahead, winds will increase overnight with snowfall beginning Wednesday morning. We are not expecting much snowfall from this first storm - around 4 inches of dense snow containing about 0.5 inches of water - with strong winds blowing from the west. Snowfall will taper off by late Wednesday, with additional dense snow and strong winds forecast through the weekend.

There is one to two feet of snow on northerly slopes, with south-facing slopes holding on to scraps of snow. Observers on Monday found a breakable crust on many surfaces and the weakening snowpack is becoming less supportable. The photo below is from pro observer Mark White in Cardiac Bowl on Tuesday, highlighting the meager coverage for mid December.

Forecasting how much snow/water and the rain/snow line will be challenging over the next several days.

General Announcements

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