Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Issued Mar 2, 2021valid to Mar 3, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

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Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE today.

Human triggered avalanches are likely on slopes steeper than 30 degrees especially that face northwest through east.

Your only 100% safe bet is to keep your slope angles lower than 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
4
The weak loose faceted snow at the base of the snowpack has gained some strength due to settlement. The weight from the large storm a few weeks ago has helped with this process. However, the structure is still very poor and I am not trusting it enough to feel safe about getting onto steep slopes. The snowpack will continue to settle and stabilize. The question is will it become stable enough to safely get onto steep slopes? It's difficult to say. The facets at the base of the snowpack are notoriously dangerous and often will produce an avalanche long after we think things are stable. It is nothing to toy with.

Below is an image of a snowpit profile from Monday, Mar 1. The mid portion of the snowpack is relatively strong. The facets right near the ground are still quite weak and failed while I was trying to isolate a column durning an Extended Colum Test.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: Monday was another great day in the mountains with fresh powder and mild weather. Wind was light. Temperatures warmed dramatically with many stations under 10,000' in elevation reading highs in the mid 30s. This took a toll on the powder by mid day on many sunny aspects. Expect a sun crust on many of those slopes this morning.

Mountain Weather: It will be another mild day with temperatures again into the upper 20s to mid 30s and fairly light southwest wind. It looks like there might be some high thin clouds. Wednesday looks similar. A closed low pressure storm system will push into our area from the southwest on Thursday bringing the chance for a few inches of snow. This is a pretty minor storm for our area. The weather pattern looks somewhat active again starting this weekend with another small storm and more lined up behind it.