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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While not widespread and isolated to upper elevation terrain in the wind zone, at and above treeline, pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger exist. Human triggered slides are POSSIBLE on steep, wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass, and particularly those with an easterly component to its aspect.

This is an easy avalanche problem to avoid... simply lose some elevation, steer towards wind sheltered, mid and lower elevation slopes, and you encounter generally LOW avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    24 hour data from Windy Peak (10,662') illustrating strong southerly winds tapering off late yesterday afternoon.

    The snowpack tends to remember weather events better than we do. So when we look back in time, it's easy to forget that as yesterday's storm began materializing, southerly winds were cranking in the 40's and 50's along the high ridges whipping up a batch of shallow, yet predictably sensitive drifts. Problem is... a few inches of snow overnight, covers over yesterday's slabs, making them hard to detect. The good news is... both new and older slabs are isolated to steep, leeward terrain in the wind zone and it's a straight-forward avalanche problem which is easy to detect and easy to avoid. Simply look for and steer clear of fat, rounded pieces of snow, especially those on the north half of the compass and particularly if they feel or sound hollow like a drum.

Special Announcement

In an effort to continue to provide up to date avalanche information the UAC will host an Instagram LiveStream video starting at 6:00 PM tonight (Thursday, March 19th). UAC Forecaster Craig Gordon.... that's me... will cover the State of the State of the Snowpack followed by a Q&A session. Share with a friend and tune in @UTavy

Recent Activity

Ted stomped around Moffit Basin Tuesday and found a few older wind slabs triggered over the weekend. Hit or miss and isolated to steep, leeward slopes, this is the type of terrain and the kind of avalanche problem you're most likely to encounter today. More on Ted's travels found here.

To view additional trip reports and recent avalanche activity, simply click here.

Snow and Weather

Currently-

Skies are mostly cloudy and light snow falls, adding a few more light density flakes to yesterday's 6" storm snow totals. Winds tapered off late yesterday afternoon and currently there's hardly a breath of wind, even along the high peaks where easterly winds blow just 5-15 mph. Current temperatures register in the teens and low 20's. Riding and turning conditions vastly improved with yesterday's fresh coat of white paint and low angle, mid elevation, wind sheltered slopes are the ticket.

Uinta weather network info is found here. Simply click on the Western Uinta tab.

For today-

Look for mostly cloudy skies with hit or miss snow showers today. Winds remain light and high temperatures climb into the low 30's.

Futurecast-

Snow showers ramp up again Friday, especially in the afternoon. Looks like Saturday offers similar weather with a drying trend slated for late in the weekend.

Additional Info

We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.

Uphill Travel at Ski Areas -

Some resorts will be offering limited uphill access but not all do. Up to date info about uphill access from Ski Utah is posted HERE.

General Announcements

The information in this forecast expires in 24 hours, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Friday Mar. 20th.

This forecast is updated daily by 7:00 AM.

In the mean-time, if you see or trigger an avalanche or just wanna let me know what you're seeing you can reach me directly at 801-231-2170

The information in this forecast is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content.

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