Salt Lake

Avalanche problems

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Likely

  Size

  1

  Sluffing in the low density snow is the primary concern today and is most problematic in the steepest, sustained terrain. Some are gathering a bit of mass and running over 500' vertical.

  I make mention of this concern because many of us are stepping into more aggressive terrain and these sluffs - without proper attention or terrain management - do have the ability to trip up skiers and riders, push them into trees or over cliff bands or bury them deeply in terrain traps. Make no mistake - the snow will continue to move with provocation on slopes approaching 40° and steeper. The good news is that they are very predictable and responsive to ski cuts but those of you ticking off The Chuting Gallery well know that in some of that terrain, there's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. (pc: Mark White)

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Unlikely

  Size

  3

  We sound like a broken record (does anyone even remember what a vinyl record is?) with this persistent weak layer which has a hard slab 3-5 feet thick resting on top of it. This layer is mostly dormant and has generally been gaining strength, but it is not forgotten. We have been keeping an eye on it because it could come definitely to life (video) in the future and produce avalanches if it is stressed by a heavy load of new snow. This layer exists above 9000 feet but is more widespread above 9500 feet on NW though E aspects. This storm will be a good test.

  How will this layer react to the coming storm? Good question. With enough snow and wind, it's possible that new avalanches may step down into the old persistent weak layers and most likely on repeater avalanche paths and in steep thin rocky terrain, particularly on the periphery of the Cottonwoods and perhaps in Provo.