Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Feb 24, 2023valid to Feb 25, 2023Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations and MODERATE at the low elevations on wind-loaded slopes where triggering avalanches up to 2' deep is likely.

Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential when traveling in avalanche terrain today.

Shallow, wet-loose avalanches are likely on southerly aspects if strong sunshine appears.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
2
Avalanche activity on Thursday was focused on slopes that had sensitive soft slabs of wind-drifted snow from recent northwest and southwest winds. Avalanche activity occurred at elevations between 6,500' and 10,000', and although most avalanches occurred on leeward slopes facing east and north, slides were also reported on slopes facing south and west. A period of stronger winds Thursday evening have likely created additional fresh wind drifts. Watch for cracking as evidence of wind-drifting, as show in the photo below from Argenta yesterday.

You can still expect to find sensitive soft slabs of wind-drifted snow on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations as well as exposed low-elevation terrain, including in the foothills above Salt Lake City.
Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Although I'm expecting recent storm snow instabilities to have mostly settled out, there may still be isolated areas where you can find a soft slab of storm snow that is reactive to a rider. Shallow, long-running sluffs in the low-density snowfall from overnight are also likely.

IF strong sunshine appears this afternoon, shallow, wet-loose avalanches are likely on steep southerly-facing aspects.

Recent Activity

Eight natural and human-triggered avalanches we reported on Thursday. These occurred at elevations between 6,500' to 10,000' on all aspects, were 1-2.5' deep and up to 200' wide where most slides involved wind-loaded slopes.

In no particular order:

Pioneer Ridge in the Brighton Backcountry - 18" deep 70' wide 10,000' N-facing

Ricardo's Roll in the Silver Fork Meadows - 2.5' deep 60' wide 9,000' E-facing

CSR in Days Fork - 2' deep 50' wide 9,600' E-facing (photo below)

Lucky Days in Days Fork (Rider caught and carried) - 8,600' East 12" deep 50' wide 8,600' E-facing

Kessler/Argenta - 8" deep 50' wide 9,900' N-facing

Little Willow Canyon - 16" deep 150' wide 7,600' N-facing

Black Mountain (above City Creek) - 12" deep 150' wide 6,500' W-facing

Lookout Peak (Emigration Canyon) - 18" deep `100' wide 8,400' S-facing

Snow and Weather

Temperatures this morning are in the single digits and winds are from the south/southwest and moderate, gusting into the 20's mph along exposed mid and upper-elevation summits and ridgelines. Snowfall totals overnight are 3-6" of low-density fluff.

For today, temperatures will rise into the upper teens and low 20's F. Winds will be from the southwest, gusting into the upper 20's and upper 30's mph at mid and upper elevations, respectively. We should pick up another few inches of snow this morning with clearing skies this afternoon.

In the extended forecast, Saturday will be sunny with warmer temperatures. Snowfall begins on Sunday with active weather expected for most of the upcoming week.

Storm totals since Tuesday (snow/water)

Cottonwoods 34-42"/2.5-2.8"

Park City Ridgeline 36"/2.3"

Ogden 39"/3"

Provo 36"/3.3"

Adjectives do not capture just how good the riding conditions are.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

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