Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE in the upper elevation north facing steep terrain.

Strong wind over the last two days may have formed some drifts on slopes that already had a weak snowpack.

If you simply avoid the steep upper elevation northerly facing slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees, you'll stay safe.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    4

    You can bet the the mid winter Persistent Weak Layer is still present in the higher north facing terrain. The wind always increases the avalanche danger by forming drifts in areas that already have a weak layer of snow. It's actually hard to say what the wind did. It's been so strong there may not be any obvious loading pattern. The bottom line is don't trust steep high north facing slopes. 30 degrees is the magic number when assessing terrain. Keep your slope angles under 30 degrees and you'll stay safe. The reality is that a much steeper slope is needed right now for an avalanche to release but just use 30 degrees for reference and you'll be good.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions

The wind has been relentless and is still strong from the northwest. A couple of inches of snow fell during the day Tuesday. My guess is that it is so stirred up that all you'll find today are patchy shallow drifts. Temperatures really cooled off with most stations in the mid teens to around 20˚F.

Mountain Weather

Today and the rest of the week are going to be mostly sunny. The wind should start to slow later today. We won't see really warm temperatures today. Highs should only be around freezing. Temperatures gradually warm through the week with daytime highs into the 50s by Friday.

Additional Info

SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS

CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS

INSTAGRAM: SKYLINE_AVALANCHE

FACEBOOK: SKYLINE AVALANCHE

FORECAST EMAIL

PREVIOUS FORECASTS

General Announcements

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.

Regions covered