A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on nearly all aspects and elevations. You can trigger both soft slabs of wind drifted snow and loose dry avalanches in steep terrain and some of these will be big enough to bury you. Some of these dry loose sluffs will run naturally in steep terrain. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully today.
Pockets of wind slab will be found around the compass on nearly all aspects and elevations, although they'll be most pronounced on north to east to south facing terrain. Watch for cracking and collapsing on any steep slope with any recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
Loose dry point release sluffs are expected on any steep slope today. They'll run naturally, particularly when the sun hits the cold snow. Hot tip for the couloir hunters: even if your couloir is north facing, the sun might catch the top of the chute that faces east and send a cascade of snow down on top of you. Today's dry sluffs will easily run with provocation and be big enough to bury you. They will also pack enough punch to crowbar out some lingering storm and wind slabs from yesterday.
Trend: Decreasing stability
The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on one of two buried persistent weak layers is low, but still worth a mention after a significant loading event. The two layers of concern are essentially basal depth hoar on slopes that have avalanched a time or two earlier this winter. The second is a layer of faceted snow adjacent to a dust layer 2-3 feet deep. These might be more susceptible to releasing by cornice fall or by a more superficial avalanche that then steps down.
None reported.
It's not in our forecast zone, per se, but many Wasatch skiers and riders head to the Ruby Range just south of Elko, Nevada. Often the prize they're seeking is the Terminal Cancer couloir in Lamoille Canyon. Some local skiers had a very close call on Sunday and sent us an excellent write-up that offers some good takeaways. Recommended reading.
Skies are clear.
Temps are in the teens; winds are generally light from the northwest.
Storm toals are roughy 5-10", with higher amounts in upper American Fork Canyon.
For today, we'll have sunny skies, light winds, and temps rising to the upper teens to low 20s. A weak disturbance arrives tomorrow with another one on tap for the weekend. Get it while you can: temps are expected to skyrocket toward the 70s in the valleys next week.
SIX TIPS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE (click for link to paper)
Researchers Ian McCammon and Kelly McNeil offer an updated take on reducing your risk in the backcountry:
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1***Carry a spare beacon to the trailhead and ALWAYS do a beacon check.
Many recent victims left their beacon in the car, in the bottom of their pack, or failed to turn on the beacon at the trailhead.
2***Practice companion rescue AND Learn backcountry first aid skills, including dealing with trauma and bleeding.
Trauma now accounts for 50% of the mortality rate. The old statistics were just 25%.
3***Don't travel Alone...but if you do, do the following:
Reduce your risk by avoiding avalanche terrain, sharing your route with family/friends, wearing a beacon, and using a satellite tracking device (ie: Spot or InReach or Strava)
4***Understand the Avalanche Forecast. Stick to your original route plan.
Stick to the plan. If you rule out certain aspects and elevations in the morning, don't change your mind during the day. Many accidents have occurred after the party changed their plans and drifted into more dangerous terrain during the day.
5***Recognize Avalanche Terrain. Don't overlook terrain traps.
Terrain traps are commonly overlooked in regards to avalanche terrain assessment. Ask, "What will happen if it slides?"
6***Go One At a Time.
Research indicated that many perceived "safe zones" were not. Similarly, many accidents occurred when parties went one at at time for the first two riders, but then the following riders did not wait...and triggered the avalanche.
From the authors of the study - Perhaps the greatest risk to these parties was not the avalanche conditions or the terrain, but their confidence that their risk management skills could overcome the avalanche danger they were trying to avoid.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.
