Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Feb 13, 2022valid to Feb 14, 2022Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

This morning the avalanche danger will be LOW and may rise to MODERATE for the possibility of wet snow avalanche problems due to daytime heating and direct sunlight. I would avoid any steep, shallow slopes that become wet, fully saturated, and unsupportable to the weight of a rider. Outside of any wet snow avalanche problems, the snowpack is generally stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW. Watch for (1) isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow in exposed terrain at the upper elevations and (2) sluffing in the snow in steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1
As the temperatures warm over the next couple of days, it wouldn't hurt to be thinking about some wet snow problems. I would avoid areas where the snowpack is shallow (less than 3 feet deep) and becomes fully saturated, wet, and unsupportable to the weight of a rider.

The most suspect terrain would be outside the Cottonwoods, such as PC ridgeline, Lambs, Mt Aire, Sessions, Mill Canyon Peak, and Snake Creek. As always, if the snowpack becomes unsupportable and you're seeing active rollerballs cascading down the hill, it's time to get out of there.

Special Announcement

Scott's Bowl through Scott's Pass is now within Park City Mountain Resorts (PCMR) operating terrain, and Pinecone Ridge on the PCMR side is closed to backcountry travel.

Recent Activity

Two people were caught in their sluff yesterday. One person was hit by the sluff and didn't move. The other was caught, carried, and at one point fully submerged by the snow. Thankfully both parties came away with no injuries. Both parties had a nice write-up about what happened, and you can find observations HERE.

Greg Gagne's Week in Review is published and can be found HERE>

Snow and Weather

Under clear skies, the mountain temperatures range from 20-29 °F across the range. Winds are from the west and are blowing 5-10 mph, with some anemometers recording gusts into the 20's at the upper elevations. Expect plenty of sunshine today, with mountain temperatures climbing into the upper 30's and mid to low 40's °F this afternoon.

The mid-week storm starting on Tuesday is looking and little better for some brief snowfall Tuesday into Wednesday. Hopefully, we can get the full 3-6" that the National Weather Service is forecasting.

General Announcements

Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.

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