Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Issued Feb 22, 2021valid to Feb 23, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is HIGH today in the upper elevation terrain. Avalanche conditions remain quite dangerous all over the range. Recent wind has drifted snow and loaded many steep slopes to the brink of avalanching. All they need is you as the trigger.

Strong sun and warmer temperatures today may be enough for some natural avalanches on the sunny facing slopes.

Travel Advice: Continue to avoid all steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Almost Certain
Size
4
Yesterday's snowbike remotely triggered avalanche from the flats clearly demonstrates how unstable the snowpack is still. The faceted snow near the ground is so pronounced this year that we will likely deal with this through the rest of the season. It is a year to use extreme caution. Human triggered avalanches remain almost certain again today. Here are a couple of things to consider:

The recent wind has enhanced this issue by drifting snow onto steep slopes.

This issue exists on southerly facing slopes as well as northerly. Today's warmer temperatures and direct sun may be enough to trigger natural avalanches on the more southerly facing slopes.

Special Announcement

Ski-Doo produced a new avalanche awareness video that forecasters at the UAC helped out with. It highlights the importance of getting avalanche educated if you plan to ride in the mountains. On a related note, Big Pine Sports has picked up the Ski-Doo line and they are now an official dealer. Congrats Jared, this is a great resource for the snowmobile community.

Recent Activity

There was a massive snowbike triggered avalanche on Sunday. A group of riders were well aware of avalanche conditions and were purposely avoiding steep slopes. They traveled through a meadow and regrouped. When they turned around, their stomachs dropped at the sight of a large avalanche that had overrun their tracks. They had triggered it from the flats and it released hundreds of feet above them. This could have easily been a fatal avalanche.

During my travels through Ephraim and Manti canyons I came across numerous other recent avalanches. All of these are failing on the weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack. I'll have reports completed today. Here are a few highlights:

Below: Natural trigger, lower Jimmys fork

Below: Snowmobile remotely triggered, Middle Fork, Manti Canyon

Below: Natural trigger, The Cove, Ferron Canyon.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: The strong west wind really did a number on the snow in many high locations on Sunday. It was cold also. Overnight temperatures were in the mid teens and the west wind has slowed in many locations. Despite the wind drifting snow, you'll still find plenty of nice powder to ride.

Mountain Weather: We have a couple of days of mild weather ahead. Today will be mostly sunny with highs into the upper 20s along the ridges. Westerly wind should continue to slow during the day. I'm not seeing any significant storms on the horizon. It looks like there are a few smaller ones that might produce a few inches here and there. Hopefully enough to keep riding conditions decent. The next chance for snow looks like it'll be Wednesday night.