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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

In the wind zone in mid and upper elevation terrain at and above treeline, especially on slopes facing the north half of the compass, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. While becoming harder to initiate, human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on any steep slope harboring old snow near the ground. Remember- triggering a slide that breaks to old snow will have severe consequences.

Swing around to the south half of the compass to slopes with no old snow near the ground and the avalanche danger drops dramatically.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    We haven't heard of or seen any significant avalanche activity for a week and of course, that's good news. But here's where it gets a little tricky. As the pack gets stronger it lures us into steep terrain, often without incident, giving us a false sense of snowpack stability. However, all we need to do is find one weakness, maybe around a bush or rock that we can't see buried underneath the snow, collapse the pack, and now we're staring down the barrel of a scary avalanche. The way I'm avoiding this scenario is by simply avoiding the terrain where this setup exists.... mid and upper elevation, north facing slopes that harbored snow prior to the big Thanksgiving storm. So there's no reason to pull on the avalanche dragons tail. But wait.... here's the good news. There's a lot of terrain to ride today and not have to deal with unmanageable avalanche conditions, IF you chose slopes that had NO old snow prior to the big Thanksgiving storm. So here's your exit strategy, simply swing around to the south half of the compass, ride in the sun and you can have a blast!

    The last significant human triggered avalanche occurred a week ago on Yamaha Hill, seen in the image above. While not nearly as sensitive or widespread as a week ago, this is still the type of terrain where you could still trigger an avalanche that breaks to old, weak snow near the ground.

    Here's what we found Thursday. A good looking pit profile in terrain which had just a little old snow prior to the big Thanksgiving storm.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    As winds bump up later in the day, expect fresh drifts to form along the leeward side of upper elevation ridges. Found mostly on steep mid and upper elevation leeward slopes (like in the image above), as always, don't let your guard down. Be on the lookout for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.

Special Announcement

Join me Tuesday night at the Park City library to discuss the state-of-the-state of the snowpack... black tie optional :)

Recent Activity

No significant new avalanche activity to report from the eastern front.

This seasons snowpack and avalanche observations, along with trip reports are found here.

Snow and Weather

Above the valley gunk, you'll find clean air and clear skies. West and southwest winds increased slightly in the past few hours allowing temperatures to climb into the mid and upper 20's overnight. Recent storms have been good to the eastern front and the Uinta's are white. Riding and turning conditions are about the best they've been in years with snow depths across the range averaging just over 3'.

We are working to get the entire Uinta weather network back online, but got Windy Peak up and running last week. Above is recent hourly data from Upper Whitney Basin (9,126') along with wind data from Windy Peak (10,662'). To view more regional weather stations click here.

Plowing is done on Mirror Lake Highway, but Wolf Creek Pass is still open. However, just 'cause you can see your rig parked near Wolf Creek, doesn't mean the terrain you're choosing to ride is good to go.

Remember- this is the time of year where most of us get tricked thinking there isn't enough snow to avalanche. Unfortunately, this is also the type of setup when most close calls and accidents occur. If you are getting out and about, be prepared for your own self rescue. Wear and know how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe.

Additional Info

The image above pretty much sums up our future weather. Look for increasing afternoon cloudiness and a slight bump in southwest winds as high pressure shifts east later today, allowing a quick hitting storm to clip the region, though moisture is limited. Highs climb into the 30's with overnight lows in the teens and mid 20's. Winds ramp up on Tuesday ahead of the next system slated to impact the region Tuesday night and Wednesday. Again, another quick hitter, but should be enough to freshen things up with 4"-8" of snow.

General Announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Tuesday December 11th, 2018.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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