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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On upper elevation terrain with a northerly component the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE and human-triggered avalanches are LIKELY. Avalanches are failing 1-3' deep into faceted snow, breaking wide, and running the distance. Mid and low elevations offer mostly MODERATE danger where human-triggered avalanches are possible.

Slopes that are thin, rocky and facing the north half of the compass are suspect on my list. I'm avoiding those terrain characteristics on the north, flipping aspects to the south, and rewarding myself with quality riding and less stress of triggering a slide.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Last night, the breeze kicked in and moderate winds from the southwest created soft slabs, 6-12" deep on leeward slopes facing northwest through southeast at mid and upper elevations. Look for specific signs of wind loading such as rounded pillows, cornices and scouring on windward slopes. As we start to step into bigger, more consequential terrain, don't forget that even a manageable avalanche can become unmanageable quickly on the right slope.

    Duchesne Ridge at 10,000' loaded up and corniced showing obvious sings of wind-drifting.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    On the north half of the compass the snowpack has faceted snow buried near the ground, as well as roughly 1-2' beneath the surface. In both cases, Friday's dense snow (nearly 2" of SWE) and strong winds activated the snowpack and recent slides have been triggered naturally and by humans, failing 1-3' deep on January's PWL. Suspect slopes are in the wind zone and characterized as steep, rocky and potentially thin due to repeated avalanching and significant wind events over the past month.

    We still need persistent patience in dealing with this avalanche problem and the only way to manage the unmanageable is avoidance -- My crew and I are keeping clear of terrain where this problem exists for now.

    An upper-elevation, northwest facing slope that avalanched naturally over the weekend and failed on the January PWL -- Great ob, Kyle C!

Snow and Weather

Nowcast

A cold, clear, crisp morning kicks off the week with single digit temperatures from trailheads up to the high peaks. Currently, winds move lightly from the southwest with a few gusts into the 20's and 30's on the upper elevation ridgelines.

Forecast

Look for similar weather to yesterday with cold temperatures maxing out in the high teens(℉). Expect light to moderate winds from the southwest nearing 20 MPH with increasing clouds throughout the afternoon.

Futurecast

A weak system will pass through Tuesday into Wednesday bringing a pinch of snow, setting us up for a stronger deal Thursday into Friday that has more of a punch to it.

Additional Info

The UAC Avalanche Transceiver Training Park is rocking and rolling at the Nobletts trailhead. Break out your gear, dust off your backcountry partners, and sharpen your perishable rescue skills with some practice!

General Announcements

We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. In the meantime reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:

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. This forecast was issued on Monday, February 10th at 05:00AM and expires 24 hours after it was issued.

Special Announcement

Please join UAC Forecaster Craig Gordon at Ecker Hill Middle School, Tuesday February 11th from 6:30-8:00 PM for a State of the Snowpack presentation hosted by Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association -- Reserve a spot, here!

Recent Activity

Most avalanche activity reported yesterday was within the new and wind-drifted snow. Of note, was a sled triggered avalanche near Chalk Creek on the north slope running on a repeater slope that slid earlier in the season. Get up to speed by checking out obs, avalanches and trip reports from across the range and beyond, here!

Looking West, Chris B snagged this photo of the snowmobile-triggered persistent slab avalanche, see the full ob here.

Regions covered