The avalanche danger is HIGH on mid and upper-elevation terrain. There is a CONSIDERABLE danger on all other slopes. Natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Heavy snowfall and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions, and avalanches may break several feet deep and hundreds of feet wide on any number of buried weak layers in the snowpack.
For today, I will avoid being on or underneath avalanche terrain. There is plenty of great travel and good snow to be had on lower angle slopes less than 30 ° in steepness.
Strong winds have created sensitive wind drifts on all aspects in mid and upper elevation terrain. Cornices have grown large and sensitive and may break further back from ridgelines than you expect. On northerly-facing slopes, any avalanche involving wind-drifted snow may step down to a deeply-buried persistent weak layer. Avoid any wind-drifted slope.
Yesterday there were reports of cracking and collapsing within the new snow, this is a sign of unstable conditions and if you see cracking and collapsing avoid being on or underneath steep slopes. The storm snow will be reactive today failing within density inversions, or at the interface with the old snow surface. On northerly-facing slopes, any avalanche involving storm snow may step down to a deeply-buried persistent weak layer.
Photo (Mortensen) of cracking in the new snow, this is a sign of weaknesses and if you are seeing this, then avoid steep slopes (greater than 30° in steepness).
There are some upper-elevation slopes facing northwest-north-east where a persistent weak layer can be found, near the ground. This problem has widespread spatial variability, with slopes that have previously avalanched this season (repeater slopes) being the most suspect.
Heavy snowfall and wind-drifted snow may overload this weak layer, with avalanches failing 2'-3' feet deep in isolated areas. We also have a layer of buried near surface facets under the newest snow. This newest layer of facets may settle out over time, but is something to keep on your radar in mid and low elevation terrain.
What: The avalanche danger for the warning area is HIGH today.
When: In effect from 6am MST this morning to 6am MST Sunday
Where: For all the mountains of Utah and Southeast Idaho, including the Wasatch Range, Bear River Range, Uinta Mountains, Wasatch Plateau, Manti Skyline, the La Sal Mountains, the Tushar Range....
Impacts: Heavy snow and drifting by strong winds have created widespread areas of unstable snow and very dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are certain. People should avoid travel in all avalanche terrain and keep out of avalanche runouts. Avoid being on or under terrain steeper than 30 degrees.
Yesterday, there was 1 backcountry avalanche reported to the Utah Avalanche Center from the Ogden Region. Ski area operations reported many avalanches. Check out all avalanches and observations HERE.
Currently, under overcast skies trailhead temperatures are in the mid-20's °F and the highest peaks are in the mid-teens °F. Winds are blowing from the east in the teens gusting to the 30's at the lower ridgelines and from the west-northwest in the 30's gusting to the 40's MPH at the highest ridgelines. Today, look for partly cloudy skies with continued snowfall, 1"-3" additional snow expected and .2"-.4" of water. Temperatures will be 25-30 °F and winds will blow from the west-northwest 15 gusting to 20 MPH at the lower ridgelines and 30 gusting to 40 MPH at the highest ridgelines with the off chance of gusts to the 50's MPH. Clouds and snowfall may slow down later this afternoon. Storm totals as of 5 am range from 10"-25" of snow and 1.5"-4.5" of water.
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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.
