Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Issued Feb 16, 2021valid to Feb 17, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

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Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

AVALANCHE DANGER INCREASING TODAY!!

THE DANGER RATING IS HIGH.

Natural and human triggered avalanches are almost certain.

It is imperative to avoid all steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Almost Certain
Size
4
The snow at the base of the snowpack remains very weak. There are a number of layers stacked on top of this weak base and we're adding more. Today's wind may be the final straw. Below is a video of a snowpit test result. The column failed as I was finishing cutting it. This demonstrates how unstable things are. The weak basal snow will not support an isolated column of snow. I've had numerous test results like this. Really, all you need to do is step off your skis or machine and see if you punch through to the ground. If so, you've found an unstable structure. I've found that this is the case in the majority of the terrain that I've traveled through along the Skyline recently.

Avalanche Warning

THE AVALANCHE DANGER RANGES FROM HIGH TO EXTREME ACROSS THE WARNING AREA

IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MST THIS MORNING TO 6 AM MST WEDNESDAY

FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF MUCH OF THE STATE OF UTAH, INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...UINTA MOUNTAINS...MANTI-SKYLINE...THE FISH LAKE REGION…PAHVANTS…TUSHARS…AND THE CEDAR CITY AREA MOUNTAINS.

VERY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. NATURAL AND HUMAN TRIGGERED AVALANCHES ARE CERTAIN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: A few inches of new snow fell during the warm air advection yesterday. Not much fell overnight which surprised me a bit. I was anticipating a good shot. Temperatures just started to cool over the last few hours and are now in the teens. Northwest wind is increasing and we're seeing moderate to strong speeds along the ridgetops.

Mountain Weather: Things are in place for a good snow event today. As of 6am, it was snowing. It looks like we're still on track to receive about an inch of water which translates into a foot of snow by Wednesday. WIND!! This is going to be a player in the avalanche conditions. I'm anticipating fairly consistent moderate to strong speeds along the ridges for the next 24 hours.