Avalanche forecast

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Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

New snow and some stronger wind this afternoon will increase the avalanche danger a bit today. The danger will reach the upper end of the MODERATE danger rating.

Watch for fresh drifts and wind drifted slabs of snow this afternoon. These may be sensitive while they're forming.

Also keep in mind that there is still plenty of weak sugary snow deeper in the snowpack. Chances for triggering a deeper avalanche aren't all that great but there's still a chance. These would be the most dangerous avalanches today.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    We will want to pay attention to how the new snow is behaving today. It is high density and could be inverted on top of colder lower density snow from earlier this week. This can produce an unstable situation. It should be fairly easy to figure out if the new snow is sensitive:

    • Look for any fresh avalanches that have fracture lines about 6 to 10 inches deep.
    • Use small steep test slopes (not large enough to have serious consequences!) to cut across and see if the new snow cracks or moves.
    • Dig quick hand pits and pull on the new snow to see how easy it shears.

    It looks like we're going to see a period of stronger wind later this afternoon and this is always a big contributor to unstable conditions. Watch for drifting and avoid the fresh drifts and pillows on steep slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    Older layers of weak sugary faceted snow remain deeper in our snowpack. These remain a concern as we add more weight to the snowpack. My best guess is that this storm isn't going to add enough weight to produce a widespread avalanche cycle that breaks into older weak snow. I'm actually not expecting any natural avalanches to break into the old weak layers. My guess is that if a deeper avalanche releases, it will be human triggered most likely by a snowmobiler on a steep slope that faces north, northeast or east.

Special Announcement

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ANDROID VERSION HERE

IPHONE VERSION HERE

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: Snow started accumulating last night and the Fairview/Electric Lake zone is up to about 7 inches. Ephraim and south has only picked up about 2 inches so far. This is not uncommon with a southwest flow where the Fairview zone does much better. Temperatures have been in the upper 20s for the last 24 hours. The new snow is high density and it may feel a bit inverted on top of colder lower density snow from earlier this week. Rain/snow levels were somewhere around 7000 feet or a bit higher but just recently dropped down to the valley. Wind has generally been light from the southwest.

Mountain Weather: The storm will continue today in a southwest flow. We should see 3 to 6 inches of snow today. Temperatures will remain in the mid 20s. Wind from the southwest will be generally light but looks like it'll get strong late this afternoon or this evening. Colder air moves in tonight and the flow shifts northwest. We should see periods of snow through Friday with an additional 3 to 6 inches.

Additional Info

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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.

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