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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While not widespread, in the wind zone, at and above treeline, you'll encounter CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY on steep, wind drifted slopes, especially those with an easterly component to its aspect.

Lose a little elevation, you lose most of the problem, and avalanches become more predictable. Steep, wind drifted slopes at mid elevations offer MODERATE avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE.

Here's the outlier- while becoming harder to initiate, human triggered avalanches breaking into deeper, buried weak layers remains a distinct possibility. Usual suspects include- steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain, especially slopes exhibiting a thin, shallow snowpack. Remember- any slide that breaks to old snow will immediately ruin your day.

Wind sheltered, low and mid elevation slopes with no steep terrain above or adjacent to where you're riding offers LOW avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are UNLIKELY.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    In most terrain the snowpack is deep, it's gaining strength, and it's happy in its own skin. However, we're not quite out of the woods just yet and as evidenced with Saturday's sled triggered slide, steep, rocky, upper elevation terrain remains suspect. So, while so much of our terrain is good to go, if you're travels take you to steep, technical slopes today, especially those with a thin, shallow snowpack, think about your exit strategy and the consider the consequences of triggering a slide that has the potential to break deeper and wider than you might expect. Or... with all the good riding out there and miles of terrain to choose from, simply avoid slopes with these characteristics.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Yesterday's strong ridgetop winds had no problem drifting snow onto leeward slopes, especially those with an easterly component to its aspect and we found fresh wind drifts hyper-sensitive to our additional weight. I think the vast majority of yesterday's wind slabs settled overnight and won't be quite as reactive, but the Uinta's are a huge range and I'm always amazed how these mountains channel wind and snow into usual locations. Found mostly on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges, I wouldn't be too surprised to find a fresh drift or two cross-loaded around terrain features like chutes or gullies. More the exception than the rule, a rogue wind slab could break deeper and wider than you might expect, creating a slide that quickly gets out of hand. Your best bet for avoidance is to simply steer clear of any fat, rounded piece of snow, especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.

Special Announcement

January 24 - February 6

Are you looking to improve your avalanche skills? We are offering a Motorized Backcountry 101: Introduction to Avalanches class on February 6 & 8 out of The Edge Powersports and Thousand Peaks Ranch in the Western Uintas. Click HERE for more details.

Recent Activity

Yesterday-

Winds drifted snow in an instant yesterday morning, resulting in fresh slabs that were hyper-reactive to the additional weight of a person.

And from Saturday-

The avalanche in the image above was triggered on Saturday, but we just got word of it late Sunday. None-the-less it's a critical piece of information. Occurring on an upper elevation southeast facing slope, details are hazy, but here's what I do know... breaking 2'-3' deep and 300' wide on a mid slope breakover, this is a significant piece of snow. Fortunately, everyone came out unscathed. Huge thanks to Pro Snowmobile Guide "Bayou Dave" from 1000 Peaks Snowmobile Adventures for keeping us in the loop with all the great info and pictures. Yesterday's weather hampered our travels to the site... I'll try to visit today.

To view additional trip reports and recent avalanche activity, simply click here.

Snow and Weather

Currently-

Yesterday's overachieving storm delivered up to 8" of light density snow across the range. Now, in the wake of this quick hitting system, high pressure briefly builds this morning, providing partly cloudy skies with temperatures registering in the single digits and low teens. West-northwest winds finally relaxed around dinner time last night and currently blow 10-20 mph along the high ridges. Recent winds damaged our big open bowls, but lose a little elevation and you'll find cold, creamy snow and excellent riding.

Uinta weather network info is found here. Simply click on the Western Uinta tab.

For today-

Look for increasing clouds with snow developing late in the day. High temperatures rise into the 30's with overnight lows dipping into the teens. Westerly winds blow 15-25 mph and ramp up into the 30's and 40's as the day progresses.

Futurecast-

A ridge settles in for the remainder of the work week, providing sunny skies and warming temperatures.

Additional Info

Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds support the UAC. Get your tickets HERE.

Get one of these cool t-shirts to support the UAC and other avalanche centers across the U.S. INFO

General Announcements

The information in this forecast expires in 24 hours, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Wednesday Jan. 29th.

This forecast is updated daily by 7:00 AM.

In the mean-time, if you see or trigger an avalanche or just wanna let me know what you're seeing you can reach me directly at 801-231-2170

It'll be a minute or two before we're riding, but while you're waiting....

This is a great time of year to schedule one of our free avy awareness presentations.

You can email me directly [email protected]

The information in this forecast is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content.

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