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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago.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

There's two distinct avalanche problems today with two distinct outcomes.

In the wind zone at upper elevations, you'll find MODERATE avalanche danger on steep slopes facing the north half of the compass. Human triggered avalanches are possible, particularly on slopes that harbor weak, pre-existing snow. Remember- any avalanche that breaks to old snow near the ground will result in a deep and dangerous slide.

In addition, though winds aren't exactly cranking, the Uinta's are a big place, and I bet there's a fresh wind slab or two that'll react to our additional weight. Along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges you'll find a MODERATE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches breaking within the newly formed wind drifts are possible.

Here's your exit strategy-

Wind sheltered low elevation terrain that held no old snow prior to the Thanksgiving storm generally offers LOW avalanche danger and human triggered avalanches are unlikely. South facing terrain with no old snow and big open meadows with no steep terrain above or adjacent to where you're riding is the ticket.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Ted's snow profile from the North Slope reveals the big Thanksgiving storm resting on weak snow near the ground.

    Here's the problem-

    As the snowpack settles it's gaining strength... and that's good news. The bad, not so in your face, you need to do a little homework news is... upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass harbor old October snow (weak layers). While not as widespread as earlier this week, upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass continue producing big, booming collapses (whoomphing sounds) and shooting cracks. This is a huge red flag indicative of dangerous avalanche conditions. As a matter of fact, all you need to do is a little investigating. Take your shovel out, dig down a few feet and you'll clearly see the overall snow structure suggests we've got a sketchy snowpack. This is the type of setup where we don't even have to be on the slope in order to trigger a slide, we just need to be connected to it. What this means is... we can initiate avalanches from a distance or even low on the slope. Once triggered, even a small avalanche may break a bit deeper and wider than you might expect, failing near the ground, revealing obstacles hidden under the thin facade of our early season snowpack. Remember- any slide could easily result in a season ending injury if you get raked over stumps, rocks, or deadfall.

    It doesn't mean we can't ride, but what I do know is the best way to avoid unpredictable avalanche conditions is to avoid where it exists. We can still have a great day by playing in big open meadows and simply staying off of and out from under steep, upper elevation terrain facing the north half of the compass.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While there's not an abundance of loose snow available to blow around, the Uinta's are a huge range and I bet, shallow, fresh wind drifts will react to our additional weight. Found mostly on upper elevation leeward slopes, there might also be a pocket or two of wind drifted snow cross loaded in a terrain feature like a gully or chute. Your best bet for avoidance is to simply steer clear of any fat, rounded piece of snow, especially if it looks chalky or sounds hollow like a drum. In addition, look for and listen to clues like whoomphing sounds or shooting cracks in the snow which are sure signs of unstable conditions.

Recent Activity

Our main man Ted Scroggin was in the Whitney zone Wednesday cataloging recent avalanche activity from the big Thanksgiving storm. The images above clearly illustrate the scope of the avalanche problem we're dealing with on steep, upper elevation slopes, facing the north half of the compass. While the snowpack slowly gains strength and avalanche activity has tempered somewhat, the scary fact is... any slide you trigger in terrain that has weak, old snow near the ground, there's a distinct possibility it'll produce a deep, dangerous avalanche. More on Ted's travel and insights are found here.

Snow and Weather

Above the valley funk, junk, and gunk, skies are beginning to clear and temperatures are in the teens and low 20's. Yesterday's weak storm brushed the region with a shallow coat of white paint and it looks like 3" of dense snow fell in the high country. Winds relaxed midday Thursday, increasing slightly overnight, but remain light none-the-less, averaging just 10-20 mph along the high peaks.

The big Thanksgiving storm settled quite a bit, but we have a respectable snowpack with total snow depths averaging just under three feet. Travel is a bit more reasonable, but remember.... the Uinta's are made of huge boulders, so rock free roads and meadows are your safest bet.

For today-

Expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures climbing into the mid 30's. West and southwest winds increase late today, bumping into the 30's and 40's along the high ridges.

For the weekend-

Thickening clouds for Saturday along with steady ridgetop winds. A decent shot of snow develops early Sunday, continuing into Monday afternoon. Perhaps we can squeeze 8"-12" of snow out this system.

Above is 24 hour weather data from Lofty Lake Peak (11,186') and Trial Lake (9,945')

Click here for more real time Uinta winds, temperatures, and snow depth.

Additional Info

The First Annual Avalanche Awareness Week is this week, running from December 2-7

We have a week full of fun and educational events planned. Check out the schedule here.

As part of your early season tune-up, consider taking an avalanche class. We have lots of avalanche education classes listed already, from Know Before You Go to Companion Rescue to our Backcountry 101. Click on the Education menu on our webpage for a full list of classes from the UAC and other providers. Check out the Know Before You Go eLearning program for free, online, avalanche classes.

Please join me on Friday Dec. 13th at 6:30 for a free avalanche awareness presentation in partnership with Wasatch County SAR. It's guaranteed to be entertaining, informative, and I'll share safety tips that allow you to rip powder safely and come home to your families at the end of the day.... pretty good deal... huh?

General Announcements

The information in this forecast expires in 24 hours, but will be updated by 7:30 AM Saturday Dec. 7th.

Once the snow begins to fly in earnest, this forecast will be updated each day by 7:30 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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