Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper elevation slopes in the backcountry. Human triggered avalanches involving wind drifted snow, failing on weak, sugary, snow near the ground are likely on steep shady slopes. Avalanches could be triggered remotely, from a distance, or below! You can find much safer conditions at lower elevations and on sheltered slopes.
After sustained and fairly strong south winds at upper elevations, avalanches consisting of recently wind drifted snow are likely today on steep drifted slopes. Cracking and collapsing are red flags indicating unstable snow conditions.
Most sunny slopes were bare and many others patchy or crusty after the prolonged November dry spell. But on slopes above about 8000' facing northwest, north, and northeast, the old October snow has grown sugary and very weak. Dangerous and destructive avalanches failing near the ground are possible, and the danger on many of these slopes will persist for a while.
Thanks to Powder Mountain snow safety for this telling snow profile from a suspect upper elevation slope facing northwest.
Join us for our 16th annual Pray for Snow Party, December 4, at The Cache in downtown Logan.
Come join us for an evening filled with good friends, good food, and good music all to support avalanche forecasting, awareness, and education. Music from The Swinging Lights!!!! Lucky Slice will be serving up gourmet slices once again.
Buy your tickets early to save $5! See you there! HERE
Backcountry skiers remote triggered this avalanche from quite a distance in No Name Bowl west of Park City.
It's 26°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel this morning, and I'm reading 31 inches of total snow containing 6" SWE, which is 94% of normal for the date. The site recorded 2.5" SWE from the Thanksgiving Storm. It's 21°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and south winds are blowing about 32 mph with a gust of 43 mph. The south winds sustained speeds at around 30 mph all day yesterday and overnight. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper elevation slopes in the backcountry, and human triggered avalanches are likely.
Snow is likely today, but less than an inch of accumulation is expected. High temperatures at 8500' are expected to climb to around 30°F, and southwest winds 11 to 16 mph will continue to drift snow in exposed terrain.
It'll be cloudy in the mountains tonight, with temperatures rising to around 24°F. There is a good chance of some snow, but less than an inch is expected. The wind should veer from the west and blow 10 to 15 mph. It will be cloudy on Tuesday, with a good chance for 1 to 3 inches of snow. It'll be around 30°F, and 7-9 mph westerly winds are expected.
Drew found some windy conditions on Cutler Ridge in the Ogden Mountains yesterday.
The First Annual Avalanche Awareness Week is December 2-7 We have a week full of fun and educational events planned. Check out the schedule HERE
As part of your early season tune-up, consider taking an avalanche class. We have lots of avalanche education classes listed already, from Know Before You Go to Companion Rescue to our Backcountry 101. Click on the Education menu on our webpage for a full list of classes from the UAC and other providers. Check out the Know Before You Go eLearning program for free, online, avalanche classes.....HERE
The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled vehicles in the winter, and it is snowpacked, narrow, and icy in places. You could easily get stuck in today's very deep snow. Hikers, cross country skiers, snow bikers, dogs, sleds, and 4x4s share the road this time of year, so be nice and keep your speed down around others.
It's key to head into the early avalanche season with the proper mindset. In this podcast, we talk with UAC program director Bo Torrey. Bo talks about particular risks unique to the early season, tips and tricks for knocking the rust off your early season rescue skills, and charts out the path forward with avalanche education. HERE
