Avalanche forecast

Abajos

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on steep slopes facing NW-N-NE-E and human triggered avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer 2-3 feet deep are likely. Keep your terrain choices conservative today. A MODERATE danger for triggering this type of avalanche exists on W facing slopes. Solar aspects will develop a MODERATE danger as the day heats up. Wet loose avalanches will be possible on sunny slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    A persistent weak layer of sugary, faceted snow sits beneath a slab 1'-2' thick. This problem is most pronounced on slopes facing NW-N-NE-E near treeline and below and the weak layer is easy to locate with your shovel. At the middle and lower elevation bands, backcountry observers continue to report failures in stability tests, collapsing, and shooting cracks. Above treeline the weak layer distribution is much more variable and it is hard to track. Attempting to outsmart this avalanche problem in the alpine is a dangerous proposition. By mid March skiers and riders start to think about big objectives and skiing the high peaks, but now is not the time. There is a reason we call this type of weak layer persistent, and patience is the name of the game for now. Low angle slopes remain your best bet for skiing today.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Wet loose avalanches will become possible on slopes facing W-S-SE today as things heat up. This problem should be easy to manage. These slopes will support your weight this morning. When things are getting too warm the snow will become heavy, wet, and slushy and you will punch through the snow. Roller balls and pinwheels moving down hill are a bulls eye clue that it’s time to leave the sunny slopes.

Recent Activity

It was an active day throughout the state for human triggered avalanches with almost all of the other zones reporting accidents and near misses. A lot can be learned from these reports, and it's certainly worth your time to read through them.

Snow and Weather

We have another warm sunny day ahead of us with highs in the upper 30's. Winds will remain light out of the SW and blow 5-10 mph. A weak system will move in Wednesday with a chance for maybe 2" of snow. Sunny skies return Thursday and should last into the weekend.

NWS Weather Forecast.

Snow totals and temps at Buckboard SNOTEL (8924')

Snow totals and temps at Camp Jackson SNOTEL (8858')

Snowpack

Steadily warming temps and strong March sunshine have done a number on Solar aspects. It's still too soon for a corn cycle and these slopes will start out with crusts today. Look for the southerlies to get sloppy as the day heats up. Sheltered North faces are still your best bet for powder and soft snow. It may feel like spring out there, but the snow pack is behaving like it's the middle of winter. We have a buried persistent weak layer of faceted snow that formed during the Jan-Feb high pressure that is still reactive. An avalanche failing on this layer will be 2-3 feet deep.

General Announcements

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This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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