Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Jan 1, 2021valid to Jan 2, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep mid and upper elevation slopes facing west through north and east as well as upper-elevation southeast aspects. Human-triggered avalanches are possible on these slopes, especially if they have a denser slab of wind-blown snow on top of weaker, faceted snow. Avalanches may be triggered remotely, on slopes that are tracked out as well as from a rider well-down on the slope. All other aspects have a Low danger.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Our dominant avalanche problem this season has been our persistent weak layer (PWL) of weak faceted snow in the bottom of our snowpack. The following photo illustrates this poor structure of stronger snow (a cohesive slab) on top of weaker faceted snow.

It is becoming harder to trigger an avalanche, but the snowpack continues to remind us of this poor structure with observers reporting collapsing and cracking, as well as full propagation with extended column tests.

Avalanches failing on the PWL are still possible on slopes facing northwest through east at the mid and upper elevations, especially on slopes that have been loaded from a few of the stronger wind events this past week and have a stronger slab on top of the weak facets.

What are your options for dealing with this PWL? Travel and ride on slopes that are

- less steep than 30 degrees;

- are southerly-facing and do not have the PWL (look at the problem locator rose.)

Be patient, folks, we're going to be dealing with this issue for some time. Yesterday, I had my best ski day of the year while riding soft snow on slopes < 30° in steepness. In the video below I share some thoughts on dealing with our current poor snowpack structure and how it relates to danger ratings:

Special Announcement

The Utah Avalanche Center podcast's second episode of season 4 is live - Managing Risk with Avalanches, Managing Risk with a Pandemic - A Conversation with state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn.

Stream here or tune in wherever you get your favorite podcasts

There are several new blogs that have recently been published:

Read a few short anecdotes in a blog from UAC staff about how avalanches can surprise us.
UAC forecasters Paige Pagnucco and Greg Gagne discussing danger ratings and persistent weak layers.

Thanks to the generous support of our local resorts, Ski Utah, and Backcountry, discount lift tickets are now available. Support the UAC while you ski at the resorts this season. Tickets are available here.

Recent Activity

No avalanches were reported over the past few days, and the most-recent human-triggered avalanche reported occurred on Monday, December 28.

I encourage you to routinely read the excellent observations submitted to the UAC - it is our engaged community that makes us the envy of avalanche centers throughout the world.

Snow and Weather

This Morning: Skies are partly cloudy and temperatures are in the upper single digits through low teens. Winds are northerly (with a touch northeast) and generally light, but gusting in the 20's mph at 11,000' and teens at mid elevations.

For today, expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures rising into the teens and low 20's F. Winds will be from the north and northeast and remaining generally light, with gusts in the teens and low 20's mph along the upper-most ridges.

The few inches of snow we have received this week and have greatly improved riding conditions, especially on lower-angled slopes. Although we have a thin snowpack, it is generally supportable and providing decent riding and travel.

Our Week in Review for Dec 25-31 has been published. Catch up on the significant weather and avalanche events from this past week.

General Announcements

Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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