Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A small storm moved through late Monday. Avalanche conditions have not changed. The majority of the terrain on the Skyline has a MODERATE avalanche danger today.

A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger remains on steep slopes above 9500' that face northwest, north, northeast and east.

Human-triggered avalanches are not all that likely, although if you trigger one, it could be sizeable. It is difficult to determine which slopes will release and which won't. That is what makes this a dangerous situation.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    The facets that formed during the January dry spell are still the biggest threat on the Skyline. Chances for triggering an avalanche are not that great but if you trigger one, it'll be a couple of feet deep and potentially fairly wide. The other factor that makes it unlikely that someone will trigger something is that much of the steeper avalanche terrain is very difficult to access because of the shallow snowpack in the bottom of the canyons. It is difficult to almost impossible to get into canyons like Rolfson and Staker. This holds true for the majority of the canyons all the way down the Skyline.

    The video below shows the current situation with the snowpack and the buried facets that remain weak.

Snow and Weather

General Conditions: A small storm moved through Monday afternoon and into the evening. It left 1 to 3 inches of new dense snow. Temperatures dropped into the mid 20s and the rain/snow line dropped below 8000 feet in elevation. Wind from the west is somewhat strong along the highest peaks but it looks like it is still light to moderate in speed in the low and mid elevations.

Mountain Weather: We'll see clouds lingering around for a good part of the day, then clearing late. Temperatures will get into the low to mid 30s today. Wind will be from a northerly direction and slow through the day. Wednesday looks mostly clear with temperatures back into the 40s. Another storm moves in Thursday and lingers through Friday bringing another chance for snow. I'm thinking it'll be in the 4 to 8 inch range by the time it's all said and done Friday night.

Additional Info

SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS

CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS

INSTAGRAM: SKYLINE_AVALANCHE

FACEBOOK: SKYLINE AVALANCHE

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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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