Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

There is a MODERATE avalanche danger on the Manti Skyline.

Human triggered slab avalanches are still possible.

The most likely spots are on steep upper elevation slopes on the north half of the compass.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Yesterday's snowmobile triggered avalanche clearly demonstrates that the snowpack remains unstable. What is notable is that this avalanche was triggered over a week after the last storm. I was able to get a test slope to fracture during fieldwork on Thursday. Snowpit stability test results remain poor with most tests failing during isolation of the column. These are all red flags. The buried Persistent Weak Layer is still dangerous and will remain dangerous through the next storm.

    Warmer temperatures this week have helped stabilize the snow especially in lower elevations. Once everything freezes, it is unlikely we'll see any avalanche activity below 9500'. High elevation more northerly facing terrain is where the danger is and will remain for a while.

Recent Activity

There was a fairly large snowmobile triggered avalanche on Thursday. The riders were intending to avoid the steep slope but still remotely triggered it from a distance below. This was in upper elevation northerly facing terrain. Photo - Brian Osborne, Blue Slide Fork:

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions

Thursday was another very warm day and temperatures again stayed mild overnight with most stations above freezing. This is the third night in a row with above freezing temperatures. Southerly wind has been light over the last 24 hours. There is still some cold dry powder on the highest north facing slopes. Be careful though, this is the exact spot where a person is most likely to trigger an avalanche.

Mountain Weather

A prolonged and complex winter storm system is moving into our area that'll bring periods of snow through Monday. Accumulations will slowly stack up and we should end up with 12 to 18" of snow. We'll see clouds today and the chance for light snow. Temperatures shouldn't warm a whole lot. Southerly wind will start out light and increase in speed slightly this afternoon. Tonight looks like a decent chance for snow and we should pick up a 4 to 6 inches.

Additional Info

SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS

CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS

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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.

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