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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The heat is on, we've had a marginal refreeze, and it's making the snowpack cranky-

The day begins with MODERATE avalanche danger around the compass and human triggered, damp snow avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep, sun exposed slopes. With strong sunshine overhead and sweltering temperatures on tap, the avalanche danger may rise a notch to CONSIDERABLE, meaning human triggered and natural avalanches are LIKELY, especially during the heat of day.

Additionally, today's heat may activate persistent weak layers on the north half of the compass at mid and upper-elevations, where once triggered, avalanches will break to sugary weak layers deeper in the pack.

If you're feeling like an ant under a magnifying glass, so is the snowpack and it's time to get off of an out from under steep sun-baked slopes. (Of course, no ants were harmed in the use of this simile :)

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Today's heat may reactivate persistent weak layers, especially in shallow snowpack zones like terrain that has avalanched multiple times this season. Remember... our PWL problem child is still trying to figure itself out and isn't entirely comfortable in its own skin, so here's some considerations-

    • We are not going to see obvious red flags like cracking, or hear big, booming collapses. So... with the high price of eggs, let's not put all of them in one observation basket :)
    • If you pull out your probe and find a shallower area of the snowpack (100-175cms) dig around or trench down, you'll see this weak snow.
    • This problem exists in a small and isolated portion of our terrain and is easily avoidable.
    • Big triggers can produce big avalanches -- Watch out for cornice failure or rapid change... anything that could help pry out one of these nasty slides.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Bo reported this wet slide peeling off a steep, southwest facing slope during yesterday's intense afternoon sunshine. Initiating a point release, this gooey slide stacked up an impressive amount of wet, cement-like debris as it fanned out onto the slope below. The arrow points to a person for scale.

    All aspects and elevations take on heat today and the name of the game is to get on the snow early and move to another activity before the snow gets too manky. In addition, think about your end of the day exit strategy and avoid terrain traps like gullies and road cuts, where even a small slide can pile up unusually impressive piles of tree snapping debris.

    Ted was on the east side of the range on Monday and noted a large cornice failing naturally during the heat of the day, stacking up a sizable amount of day ruining debris.

Recent Activity

Trevor stomped around Upper Weber Canyon yesterday afternoon and reported this natural cornice fall which triggered a sizable avalanche as it crashed onto the upper elevation, northeast facing slope below. This slide occurred right around 3:00. With continued heating today, expect more of the same.

Check out all the action, info and intel for the Uinta range and beyond, here.

Special Announcement

  • Please join Craig Gordon (that's me!) at Park City Brewing on Wednesday, March 26th at 6pm for a State of the Snowpack presentation. Craig will review the perceived notion of a low tide season and focus on decision making with a Persistent Weak Layer -- Sign-up for free here!
  • The final report for the Hoyt Peak avalanche accident on March 7th has been published and is available, here.
  • Our Spring Campaign is in full swing, and there are two great ways to support forecasting, awareness, and education across Utah: Donate to our Spring Campaign or bid on items in our Spring Auction. Every dollar helps keep the backcountry community on top. Thank you for your support!

Snow and Weather

Nowcast- With clear skies overnight, just a sliver of April's Pink Moon peaks over our mountains, as temperatures hover in the mid 30's ... but man, to call it a solid refreeze is a stretch. Along the high ridges, winds blow in the teens and low 20's from the southeast.

Forecast- Southerly winds blow in the 20's and 30's, but it does little to temper our downright steamy day with high temperatures soaring into the low 50's. Overnight lows barely hover near freezing.

Futurecast- An active weather pattern returns to northern Utah by late Thursday, with a weak system kicking off the next round of storminess. That'll knock temperatures down somewhat and might deliver a few inches of snow. A more noteworthy impulse slides through the region Saturday afternoon with an active pattern lining up for next week.

Travel & Riding Conditions- A marginal refreeze limits the supportability of our go-anywhere snowpack and offers a tight morning window to our corn harvesting endeavors.

Joey and I might've gotten the last of the cold-ish snow in the alpine on Sunday... it's toast now.

General Announcements

We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. In the meantime reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:

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. This forecast was issued on Wednesday, March 26th at 04:00 AM and expires 24 hours after it was issued.

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