Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The overall avalanche danger rating is MODERATE today on the Manti Skyline.

There are two things to keep in mind today:

  1. Large wind drifts and wind slabs formed during the last storm and still may be sensitive today. They are most pronounced on north through east facing slopes just below the upper elevation ridgelines.
  2. Sun and warming temperatures may make the new snow become unstable. If you find yourself in wet, sloppy snow, it's time to avoid steep slopes and stay out of gullies and ravines.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    The fresh drifts and slabs of snow that were created by the wind during the last storm may still be sensitive today. I would use caution and avoid steep slopes where the wind has drifted and deposited snow. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche today will be just below the upper elevation ridges on slopes that face north through east. All that said, I did not encounter anything that I would call "sensitive" during my fieldwork on Wednesday. Also, these fresh drifts and slabs stabilize rapidly in the spring. The thing is that while chances for triggering one are decreasing, if you do trigger one it could be pretty deep.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    The sun and warmer temperatures will shock the cold powder today and it may become unstable. Once things heat up mid day it's time to start paying attention to where you are. Rollerballs and pinwheels are a clue that things are becoming unstable. When the snow gets to the point where it's wet, sloppy, or mushy and hard to travel through, it's time to avoid being on or below steep terrain.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: The storms have been absolutely unbelievable. Riding conditions were out of this world on Wednesday with deep, cold powder. Many locations picked up 2 feet of snow out of the last storm. The east side of the range really got left out though with only a fraction of that amount. Reports from around Electric Lake were 6 inches of new snow. Wind was fairly light on Wednesday and is almost non existent this morning. It was the coldest night yet with many locations dropping to around 0˚F. LINK TO VIDEO

Mountain Weather: It's going to be a sunny day with temperatures getting into the low 30s. Wind should remain pretty light today from the south or southeast. It looks like some clouds will roll through late Friday and into Saturday. We'll see gradually warming temperatures into next week with mountain temperatures possibly making it into the 50s by Monday. Another snow storm may materialize for late next week.

Additional Info

SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS

CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS

INSTAGRAM: SKYLINE_AVALANCHE

FACEBOOK: SKYLINE AVALANCHE

FORECAST EMAIL

PREVIOUS FORECASTS

General Announcements

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.

Regions covered