Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

THE AVALANCHE DANGER CONTINUES TO INCREASE.

The danger is rated at HIGH for the Manti Skyline. Human triggered and natural avalanches are almost certain today.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Almost Certain
    Size
    4

    There was some natural avalanche activity just within the new snow on Thursday. That said, by far the most dangerous situation is avalanches that are breaking into weak snow at the base of our snowpack. That weak snow is known as a Persistent Weak Layer. It is comprised of weak sugary snow grains also known as "faceted snow". This weak snow formed in December and now we're stacking layer after layer of new snow on top of it. Thursday was the tipping point when that weak foundation started to crumble. Wind has been a big contributor since it has been drifting lots of snow. We will see avalanches continuing to break into that weak snow at least through the weekend.

    It is very important that people avoid being on or below any steep slope. The danger is widespread. Even slopes that don't have a Persistent Weak Layer are suspect. You will see avalanches on many aspects. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on steep slopes is almost certain. The size of the avalanches grows each day and they'll continue to get bigger as it looks like we're in for a snowy weekend.

    AGAIN, TRAVELING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

Avalanche Warning

What

The avalanche danger for the warning area is HIGH.

When

In effect from 6am MST this morning to 6am MST Saturday.

Where

For the mountains of northern and central Utah and southeast Idaho, which includes the Wasatch Range...the Bear River Range...Uinta Mountains...Manti-Skyline plateau...and the Mountains of Southwestern Utah.

Impacts

Strong winds and heavy snowfall have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Avalanches failing on a widespread persistent weak layer buried under the new snow are very likely. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30°.

Recent Activity

The scales really tipped on Thursday. There was widespread avalanche activity. Visibility was poor and travel is very difficult so we'll likely never know the extent of the avalanche cycle. However, all of the avalanches that I was able to see from just the roads tells me enough. I viewed countless natural as well as snowplow triggered avalanches on Thursday. They were breaking 12 to 20 inches deep. Some as wide as 400 feet.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: Light snowfall continued for most of the day on Thursday with a few more inches of accumulation. Temperatures only got up to around 10˚F on Thursday and dropped into the teens overnight. The wind has been blowing. It's been consistently in the moderate to strong range for at least 24 hours, mainly from the west southwest. As far as snow conditions, riders report bottomless difficult travel.

Mountain Weather: It looks like we are in for a significant snow storm starting today. It'll be a one-two punch with a good round of snow today and tonight and another round Saturday into Monday. We could see a foot of snow by Saturday morning and then that much again by Sunday, if not more. The wind is going to blow pretty strong during the first wave then slow a bit into Sunday. It'll be westerly for the most part. Temperatures will be in the low teens today and gradually increase up to around 20˚F by Sunday. This looks like a major winter storm!!

Additional Info

SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS

CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS

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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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