Avalanche forecast

Uintas

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

As today's storm materializes, avalanche danger rises to CONSIDERABLE, especially above treeline in the windzone. Human triggered fresh drifts are LIKELY on steep slopes, particularly those with an easterly component to their aspect. Don't take your eyes off the prize on mid elevation polars where the pack is thinner. While becoming more the exception than the rule, we can still trigger a large piece of snow that fails on weaker layers developed during the January drought, now buried several feet beneath the snow surface.

If the storm overproduces and fresh snow stacks up rapidly, expect the avy hazard to rise to MODERATE with human triggered avalanches POSSIBLE on sustained steep slopes facing the north half of the compass at all elevations. (Mid and lower elevation south facing terrain is a patchy mix of snow and exposed turf and hardly a player.)

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Above, a 24 hour data dump from Windy Peak (10,662') illustrating wind shift with evolution of today's storm.

    Robust ridgetop winds have no problem whipping up drifts, especially on slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. As the storm unfolds, today's fresh drifts may break a bit deeper and wider than you might expect. Easy to identify by their fat, rounded appearance this is an equally easy avalanche dragon to avoid.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Mild temps, strong spring sunshine, and a whole 'lotta water go a long way to help a snowpack begin healing and I'm psyched the January PWL is feeling some warm love from our recent storms. The good news... the snowpack is beginning to gain strength and other than a subtle whumph or two, I'm encouraged to see it adjusting to the big mid-February storm. Now for the flake news... remember, all we need to do is find a weakness, maybe around a rock or a bush, collapse the pack, and now we're staring down the barrel of a dangerous slide. Let's give it a little more time and see how the pack handles today's storm before we begin stepping into big terrain.

    Becoming more the exception than the rule, this is still the type of avalanche we can trigger today, if we're able to find a weakness in a thin portion of the slab and knock the legs out from underneath.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    During periods of increased snowfall rates, fresh storm snow will become more reactive to our additional weight, especially on sustained steep slopes, even at lower elevations,

Additional Info

Join the UAC for the first "Stay and Play Avalanche Course" at Bear River Lodge in the Uintas, March 19th-22nd. This course is designed for snowmobilers by snowmobilers, where you will learn avalanche rescue, riding skills, and how to survive in the backcountry. Come enjoy all the luxury offerings at Bear River Lodge and improve your skills along the way.

Our Avalanche Rescue Training Park is set-up and located at the top of Wolf Creek Pass, SR-35, and is waiting for you to come take it for a spin! Open up the control unit, flip a few switches, and dial in your avalanche rescue skills with this roadside attraction!

Recent Activity

Ted was out and about yesterday and noted this fresh storm slab in the Gold Hill area. He's got a great writeup and as aways, a solid trip report with decades of local insight found here.

View All Avalanches & Observations Here

Snow and Weather

Nowcast - Under a band of thick clouds, light snow falls, winds blow in the 30 mph range from the west and northwest, while temperatures crash 10 degrees °F since sunset and register in the low 20's °F. Yup... winter rolled back in the Uinta hood at the turn of the day, delivering a thin coat of white paint, but the storm is just getting going and we should see a solid shot of snow materialize later this morning.

Forecast - Snow fills in for the morning commute and I'm thinking 6"-10" of low density fluff by dinnertime. It's gonna feel like winter as temperatures don't vary much from where we're at this morning. Winds decrease for a spell, then ramp into the 20's near the high peaks from the west and northwest, adding a bite to the bark, delivering windchills hovering around 0 °F.

Futurecast - Look fora midday break in the action with another wave of snow rollin' though overnight, but tapering off by mid morning Friday. A stunning weekend is on tap.

Check out the Uinta Weather Network here!

Travel Conditions - Trailhead access got a nice boost from Tuesday's storm and lower elevation travel is shifting away from pavement burning, sparks flying kind of obnoxious, into a more seamless, type 2 fun category.

General Announcements

We have some upcoming classes and events that we'd be stoked to see you at -- Please reach out with any questions and check out below for more details!

See All Courses & Events Here

We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. Reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:

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. This forecast was issued on Thursday, March 05 at 0400 and expires 24 hours after it was issued. We'll update this information by 07:00 AM tomorrow.

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