There is a MODERATE danger on upper and mid elevation slopes where human triggered avalanches are possible in the new and wind-drifted snow. These avalanches will be 1-2' deep. There is a LOW danger on lower elevation terrain where there has been less new snow.
Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on slopes where the new snow has drifted into a harder slab of dense snow, or on steep slopes where the sun has warmed the surface snow. A great option is to let the new snow settle out and stick to lower angle objectives where there is good powder-snow riding.
Ice climbers should be aware of overhead hazard as new snow warms up above ice climbs. Plan to be off ice climbs as temperatures start to rise to avoid being underneath any new snow sluffing down from above.
Today, it will be possible to trigger slabs of wind-drifted snow 1-2' deep. You may be able to get further out onto a wind-drift before it breaks with the additional weight of a rider. Keep an eye out for snow drifts and smooth rounded deposits of snow on leeward slopes and in cross-loaded areas.
Human triggered avalanches are possible on steep northerly facing terrain and on the sun crust on southerly facing slopes up to 1' deep. Avoid traveling on or under any steep sun warmed slope as any hint of sun is more than enough to trigger natural avalanches on steep slopes, road cuts, or roofs.
New snow avalanche running on sun crust on south facing Flagstaff Shoulder is similar to what riders may find on steep south facing slopes in the Provo area mountains (photo- Ty Smith).
Yesterday there were reports of natural soft slab avalanches running on steep slopes during the storm. Riders also reported loose dry avalanches running on a density change within the new snow and wind-drifted avalanches in upper elevation terrain 1-2' deep. There was a close call in the Primrose Cirque in the Provo area mountains where a skier triggered a wind-drifted slab of snow and was caught and carried on a steep north facing slope at 8500'. This avalanche was 12" deep and 60' wide.
See the full list of avalanche activity where you can filter avalanches by region and date.
Under partly cloudy skies trailhead temperatures are in 10-15 F. Temperatures at the 8,000' ridglines are 15-20 F. Winds are blowing lightly from the north-north east at the 8000' ridgelines. Today, winds will blow from the north-northeast 15 to 20 MPH at the 9000' ridgelines and from the north-northwest 25 to 35 MPH at the 11,000' ridgelines. Winds will shift to the north and decrease throughout the day. Skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures 27-31 F. No new snow is expected today. The freezing level will rise from 4000' to 5000' feet throughout the day.
Storm Totals (total height of snow)
There was a non-avalanche related fatality in the Y-Couloir in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday February 4th. Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim. Check out the updated guidance on electronic interference and beacons HERE. The 20/50 rule is that you want your beacon 20cm (8") away from other electronics while transmitting and 50cm (20") away from electronics while searching.
Wednesday February 8th... save the date and take a date-
Please join Craig Gordon in partnership with WNDR Alpine, Wednesday February 8th at 5:00 for a State of the Snowpack prezo at Woodbine Food Hall. It'll be fun, informative, and potentially entertaining. All the deets are found HERE.
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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.
