Salt Lake
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
The avalanche danger is mostly LOW. Low danger does not mean no danger.
Unstable snow still exists in isolated areas and most likely found in steep terrain of the higher elevations. Accidents are possible where even a small avalanche may lead to traumatic injury in unforgiving terrain.
If the clouds thin earlier than expected, wet loose avalanches are likely on the steep sunlit slopes.
Special Announcement
UAC forecaster Trent Meisenheimer and retired Director of the UAC Bruce Tremper will be discussing the science of avalanches at Black Diamond Retail Store (2092 E 3900 S, SLC) at 7:00 PM on Thursday March 5. DETAILS New podcast just released - How Not to Be a Backcountry Mr/s. Magoo - A Conversation with Blase Reardon
Recent Activity
Yesterday was fairly active with numerous very shallow (3-6" deep and up to 50' wide), manageable and predictable loose dry, loose wet, and shallow soft slab avalanches primarily in the upper elevations. All aspects.
These were intentionally and unintentionally triggered by skiers and snowboarders on slopes approaching 40° in steepness, with a couple catch and carries with some lost gear.
Photo by Bruce Tremper of the great northwest face of Red Baldy in Little Cottonwood. Note that the dry sluffs need a bit steeper terrain to move.
Snow and Weather
Cloud cover is variable with partly to mostly cloudy skies across the range.
Northwest winds are generally less than 15mph except along the highest elevations where hourly averages are in the 20-25mph range with gusts to 35.
Skiing and riding conditions are much improved from Saturday night's refresher of 5-10". Now owing to yesterday's slight wind and sun damage, the best bet for today is to head to the sheltered (north facing) mid-elevation lower angle slopes where one might ride the new snow and not feel the old crusts below.
For today, we'll have mostly cloudy skies that'll likely thin out by the afternoon. Temps will rise to near 20°F along the ridgelines with 15-20mph northwest winds. A ridge of high pressure slowly builds through the week before being ushered off to the east with a complicated looking storm for the weekend. Stay tuned.
General Announcements
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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.