Avalanche forecast

Uintas

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

In the wind zone at mid and upper elevations, especially on slopes facing the north half of the compass the avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE. While becoming harder to initiate, human triggered avalanches are likely on any slope harboring old snow near the ground. And remember- any slide triggered could have severe consequences.

Lose the old snow... you lose the problem and the avalanche danger drops dramatically.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Not much has changed on this front. While I feel like the snowpack is adjusting to the big storm, I'm not even close to thinking we've turned the corner and I can start nosing into my favorite north facing terrain. Mostly because I know there's too many variables with our snowpacks depth and strength and also because the consequences are too serious if I screw up.

    Remember- in most locations we doubled our total snowpack since Thanksgiving Day and yes, we finally have some terrain to ride. Unfortunately, riding and turning options are still very limited with the deepest snow found on mid and upper elevation slopes facing the north half of the compass. But here's the problem... that's exactly the type of terrain that harbors weak snow near the ground and that's exactly where we could still trigger an avalanche that breaks deeper and wider than we might expect. The end result is an unmanageable slide that gets quickly out of hand, dragging us through as it a myriad of hidden obstacles like stumps and rocks that will easily ruin your day or end your season. So, I'm playing it safe with conservative terrain choices and by riding slopes that had no old snow prior to the big storm.

    Plowing is done on Mirror Lake Highway, but Wolf Creek Pass is still open. However, just 'cause you can see your rig parked near Wolf Creek, doesn't mean the terrain you're choosing to ride is good to go.

    Remember- this is the time of year where most of us get tricked thinking there isn't enough snow to avalanche. However, this is also the type of setup when most close calls and accidents occur. If you are getting out and about, be prepared for your own self rescue. Wear and know how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Yesterday's west and southwest winds coupled with fresh snow, probably formed a fresh batch of wind drifts sensitive to our additional weight. While limited to upper elevation leeward slopes, as always, don't let your guard down. Be on the lookout for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.

Special Announcement

We are very proud to introduce our new website for the 2018-19 winter season. This will provide an easier and cleaner way to view all of the snow and avalanche information that you've come to rely on. We are quite happy with how the new website performs on mobile devices as well. We think you'll find the desktop or laptop experience pleasant as well. We are still tying up some loose ends so bear with us.

Recent Activity

No new avalanche activity to report

Snow and Weather

Skies are mostly cloudy, temperatures in the upper 20's, and light snow is falling. Last night's system delivered 3"-5" of dense spongy snow, with the south half of the range picking up the higher end amounts. After a late night bump into the 30 mph range, winds are westerly, blowing 15-25 mph along the high peaks.While the big holiday storm delivered over two feet of much needed snow with about 2" of water, overall snow depths are still pretty lean and average close to 20" across the range.

We are working to get the Uinta weather network back online. In the meantime, above is 24 hour data from Trail Lake (9945') and Windy Peak (10,662') winds until 5:00 pm last night.

Images above are prior to the big Thanksgiving storm, giving you a sense of the type of terrain where today's avalanche dragon lives. While the storm turned much of our landscape white, riding and turning options are still limited. Low angle, rock free grassy slopes, meadow skipping, or road rides are gonna be your best bet today.

Wanna avoid avalanche danger today? Of course you do and it's easy. Simply steer clear of any mid or upper elevation slope that has pre-existing, early season snow.

Your exit strategy is to swing around to south facing slopes or lower elevation terrain which had no old snow prior to the big storm and you can ride without the worry of avalanches breaking to weak snow near the ground.

Additional Info

There's a couple pieces of this storm still waiting to slide through the region. A break in the action is slated for this morning, but things get going later in the day as the storm moves in from the south. It's a warm system to begin with, so high temperatures should hover right around freezing. West and southwest winds remain reasonable throughout most of the day, but ramp up this afternoon with gusts in the 50's along the high ridges. A solid shot of moisture delivers 4"-6" of dense snow later today and then colder air arrives for Friday laying down an additional 1/2 foot or so of lighter density snow.

General Announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Friday November 30th, 2018.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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