Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches may be possible in localized wind drifted terrain, particularly in the upper elevations. Keep an eye out for sluffing in the steepest terrain.

REMEMBER two things:

1- The old adage - if there's enough snow to ride, there's enough snow to slide.

2- Traumatic injury due to the early season conditions is likely with any - even minor - avalanche incident.

We will be issuing intermittent updates and publishing backcountry observations as they arrive.

You can find these observations HERE.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Yesterday the westerly bumped up at the upper elevations and there is new light snow for them to move around. Shallow drifts of windblown snow could be found today. These shallow drifts will be most pronounced above 9500' just off the ridgelines and on steep slopes that face north and east, but with elevated winds, cross-loading is possible on any aspect.

    Look for obvious signs of wind-drifted snow, such as pillow-shaped slopes, cracking and whumpfing, and avoid those slopes today.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    In areas not impacted by the wind sluffing can still be expected in the most recent 5-6% low-density snow in the steepest terrain approaching 40° and steeper.

Special Announcement

PARK CITY AND CANYONS VILLAGE AT PARK CITY ARE CLOSED TO UPHILL TRAFFIC.

ALTA SKI AREA IS CLOSED TO ALL UPHILL TRAVEL FROM 4 PM TO 8 AM . THE ALBION BASIN SUMMER ROAD IS OPEN WITH ACCESS TO THE SUPREME AREA/CATHERINE'S AREA.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS EXIST.

The 13th annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop open session will be held virtually on Nov 10, 11, 12th from 630pm-9pm. We have a great lineup with something for everyone - beginners to experts.

Get more details on each session, and sign up HERE.

Covid and the Backcountry - Even in the backcountry and in parking lots, please follow CDC guidelines like limiting group size and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people to protect yourself and others. More info HERE.

Taking risks - Be extra conservative to avoid the risk of accidents which can stress the capacity of our medical system.

Recent Activity

No new avalanches reported in the backcountry yesterday.

Snow and Weather

This morning, it is overcast and lightly snowing. Mountain temperatures are in the mis-20s F at trailheads and low teens at upper elevations. Winds are currently light and westerly gusting up to 40 mph at the mid and uppermost elevations. Since yesterday we have picked up a trace amount of new snow.

Updated storm totals below.

Upper Little Cottonwood Canyon: 26-33.5" (2-2.54" Snow Water Equivalent SWE)

Upper Big Cottonwood Canyon: 12-20" (1-1.25" SWE) with about 12" in the mid-canyon Spruces lot at 7400'.

Park City Ridgeline: 12-14" (1-1.14" SWE)

Ogden area mountains: 10-18" (1.5"-2.00" SWE)

Provo area mountains: 15-19" (1.6-2.09" SWE)

Today, A storm system will cross northern Utah today through tonight. Mountain temperatures will be in the low 20s F, and winds will stay wester southwesterly. At mid-elevations they will average 10-20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. At the upper elevations, winds will average 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 55mph. The storm system will favor areas north of the Cottonwoods, but the Cottonwoods could see 3-6" on snow by tomorrow morning.

A break in the weather is expected tomorrow before another weak storm system moves into the area Friday, followed by a stronger storm Friday night with the potential to produce significant accumulations along with strong winds.

Additional Info

There are a few things to remember:

  1. Hitting rocks and stumps is a real danger. Don't end your season before it starts with an injury from hitting one of these obstacles.
  2. Early season avalanches are a real possibility. It doesn't matter if you are hiking, hunting, skiing, etc., be prepared with rescue gear and a partner. Many people have died during early season snowstorms. Listen to our UAC podcast episode The Day of Madness in Little Cottonwood Canyon about a bad day in November 2011 when many avalanches were triggered resulting in a tragic fatality.
  3. Ski resorts all have different uphill travel policies. These closed resorts that allow uphill travel can be great places to get in a little skiing especially in you know of a rock-free slope, but it should be treated as backcountry terrain. We will soon have an up to date resource on all the ski resorts individual policies.

Until more snow begins to fall, there are plenty of resources available to begin thinking about the season today:

  1. Check out the free online avalanche course material and e-learning materials available.
  2. Start looking at weather patterns in areas you plan to ski this upcoming winter. A full list of mountain weather stations can be found HERE.
  3. Freshen up on how to read the forecast page.
  4. Look over all of your gear and make sure everything is in good, working order.
  5. Sign up for an avalanche class! Get it on the schedule early.

Bonus Material! Listen to our podcast on Early Season Essentials with Bo Torrey

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures

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