Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Mar 28, 2025valid to Mar 29, 2025Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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

Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE on most slopes where wet, loose avalanches can be expected, especially at the low and mid-elevations. Larger wet slab avalanches are also possible. Specific terrain where glide avalanches can occur should be avoided. Upper-elevation northerly aspects have a LOW danger.

Timing is everything: once the slope you are on or below becomes soft and unsupportable, move to a cooler, supportable aspect.

Avalanche problems

Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
I'm uncertain how our wet snowpack will react today as it will depend upon cloud cover, winds, and temperatures. Colder, subfreezing temperatures and winds have cooled the snowpack, but natural and human-triggered avalanches involving wet snow can be expected. The specific wet snow issues for today are:

1. Wet loose avalanches on all aspects, especially at the low and mid elevations where the "refreeze" is less prominent.

2. Wet slab avalanches - particularly on aspects facing west/south/east at the low and mid elevations, but possibly some northerly aspects - where meltwater may "pool" and weaken the snow at various crust interfaces.

3. Cornices may collapse naturally, possibly triggering an avalanche on the slope below. (See photo)

4. Glide avalanches are a concern in Stairs Gulch, Broads Fork, Mill B South of Big Cottonwood, and the Raymond Slabs in upper Porter Fork in Millcreek Canyon and this terrain should be avoided.

5. Roofs may naturally release their snow - please keep kids, other people, and animals away from underneath steep roof lines.

Photo of wet avalanche triggered from a natural cornice fall:

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Recent Activity

Wet, loose avalanches were reported on Thursday, including a large wet avalanche in Coalpit Gulch on a low-elevation northerly aspect.

Wondering what the warm temperatures have meant for avalanches and the snowpack this past week? Check out Nikki's Week in Review for details.

Observations and Avalanches

Snow and Weather

Conditions are all time(!) ....... if you are drawn to the backcountry to seek solitude.

This Morning: Temperatures are 25°-30° F with low-elevation trailheads in the low 30's F. This is the first night of below-freezing temperatures in a few days. Winds are from the south/southwest and gusted to ~50 mph overnight at the upper elevations, but have relaxed and are now gusting in the 20's mph. Some light rain showers have been reported as high as 8,000'.

Today: Mostly cloudy skies with temperatures rising into the upper 30's F. Winds will be from the southwest, gusting into the 20's mph above 9,000', with gusts in the 30's at the highest elevations. There is a chance of a few rain and snow showers this afternoon.

Overnight and into Saturday: Cooler temperatures and snow developing Saturday afternoon, with 6-8" of new snow by late Saturday. A break on Sunday, with a more substantial storm for late Monday. The first week of April looks active with a return to winter.

General Announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures