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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

In steep, upper elevation terrain, at and above treeline, you'll find MODERATE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass. While more the exception than the rule, any avalanche that breaks into deeper buried weak layers near the ground will result in a deep, dangerous slide.

Mid and lower elevation, lower angle, wind sheltered terrain offers generally LOW avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While winds remained relatively light once snow began falling, the Uintas are a big range and it never ceases to amaze me how terrain features can channel winds and create pockets of wind drifted snow. Not widespread and limited to steep, leeward, upper elevation terrain, the best way to manage this setup is to simply look for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow, especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.

    And don't forget-

    Cornices are ginormous and may break back further than you might expect. You definitely wanna give these large, unpredictable pieces of snow a wide berth and not ruin someones day below by inadvertently knocking a boxcar size piece of snow down on them

Recent Activity

No significant avalanche activity in the hills, but... cabins, sheds, and other structures located in snowbelt mountain communities continue to shed their winter coats.

Recent trip reports and avy activity found HERE.

Snow and Weather

Overnight, a cold front slid through the region stacking up a couple inches of light density snow. Temperatures fell into teens and low 20's and winds remain light and northerly, blowing less than 20 mph even along the high peaks. Strong spring sunshine began baking many south facing slopes Monday, creating a breakable, albeit manageable suncrust. However, switch aspects and swing over to the north half of the compass and you'll be rewarded with miles of untracked, soft, creamy snow.

Above is hourly data from Trial Lake (9,945') and Windy Peak (10,662'). To view more regional weather stations click here.

General Announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Thursday March 14th, 2019.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Regions covered