Salt Lake
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
Today avalanche conditions are generally safe and the avalanche danger is LOW. There are still ways to get hurt. In the upper Cottonwood Canyons, just enough snow fell with strong NW winds to create a few soft slabs of wind drifted snow that could be triggered. Also in these areas with new snow, today's strong sunshine could warm the few inches of new snow enough to cause shallow wet snow avalanches sliding on the hard ice crust underneath.
Special Announcement
The Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University is conducting an online survey to examine how people use avalanche safety information. They want to hear from all backcountry users to understand how they process information provided in public avalanche forecasts. Anyone who completes the survey before May 15th will be entered to win cash prizes. Chapter 7 of the Low Danger Series - The Crossing
Recent Activity
One skier triggered avalanche was reported yesterday on the shoulder of Mt Baldy in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon. It was a soft slab of wind drifted snow 3-6 inches deep and about 20 feet wide.
Snow and Weather
Hello winter! This morning mountain temperatures are mostly in the single digits F. Northwest winds this morning are blowing 5-10 mph and gusting 15-20. Yesterday, northwest winds were blowing 15-30 mph with gusts at the highest elevations reaching 50 mph.
Yesterday morning in upper Little Cottonwoond Canyon, 3-6 inches of snow fell. Upper Big Cottonwood had 1-4 inches of new snow. Most other areas and lower parts of the canyons remained dry.
Today will have mostly sunny skies with maybe a few clouds in the afternoon. Temperatures should warm into the upper 20s F and winds should blow from the west-northwest at 5-15 mph at ridgetops. Snow should arrive tomorrow morning with 5-10 inches of snow possible by Friday.
All slopes have a hard ice crust under yesterday's dusting of new snow. Yesterday in Grizzly Gulch, I found the ice crust on south aspects to be 9 inches thick (photo below). On north aspects, it was only 1 inch thick with a few thinner crusts under it.
Additional Info
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
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.