Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Issued Dec 16, 2021valid to Dec 17, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on steep northeast, north, and northwest facing slopes above about 9000'. Human triggered slab avalanches are likely in those locations. Keep slope angles under 30 degrees if you are traveling in this terrain and make sure there are no steep slopes directly above you.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
2
A layer of weak sugary faceted snow from October is now buried under new snow from the past week. The weak faceted snow was left over from October in areas where it didn't melt out. This is mainly above about 9000' on northeast, north, and northwest facing slopes. This layer has produced slab avalanches, cracking and collapsing of the snowpack which are all bullseye clues to avalanche danger. This old layer of faceted snow is known as a "persistent weak layer" because it can persist for long periods of time producing avalanches during and after each storm. The only mitigation that works is to avoid steep slopes where this faceted snow exists.

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Recent Activity

No new avalanches have been reported but not many people were out recently either. I did receive a report from a rider who experienced some cracking around his machine.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions

The strong wind on Wednesday really stirred up the snow stripping it down to bare dirt on the higher westerly facing ridgelines. It has dramatically slowed down. Temperatures have warmed to around 20˚F.

Mountain Weather

A shortwave trough will move through Utah bringing snow but it will favor the norther part of the state. The Skyline should see some light snowfall with a couple of inches of new snow possible by Friday morning. The best chance for snow is later this afternoon into tonight. Wind today will be moderate from the west southwest this morning and slow as well as shift more northwest later today. Temperatures will drop into the single digits as the day goes on.