Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Apr 18, 2023valid to Apr 19, 2023Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today, the avalanche danger will start off as LOW and rise to MODERATE for new and wind-drifted snow avalanches. Your primary concern involves new precipitation that falls throughout the day. Watch for rapidly changing weather conditions and look for red flags such as heavy snowfall, wind loading, and cracking and collapsing in the new snow. If you see any of these red flags then reassess your travel plans and stick to lower angle slopes. Stay off of and out from underneath any steep slopes if there is heavy rain on snow.

Avalanche problems

Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Yesterday's snow surface is frozen at mid and upper elevations and your primary concern will be related to any new precipitation that falls today. This new snow should bond to the old snow surface in places where it is not wind scoured. If you are caught in any avalanche have a plan for how to self-arrest on the slick bed surface should you get taken off your feet. Avoid being under or on any steep slope if we have heavy rain on snow especially in thin areas with rock slab bed surfaces or places that did not have a solid refreeze at lower elevations. If we get hard rain on snow, we could see wet slab avalanches which could be quite large running all the way to the ground taking out what is left of this season's snowpack. With any hint of sun, the new snow will act accordingly by working its way down slope.
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Moderate to strong westerly winds will transport new snow onto leeward aspects and form sensitive drifts that will be reactive to riders. Rounded pillows of new snow that crack or collapse on approach are sure signs that the wind-drifts are sensitive and should be approached with caution.

Special Announcement

The last daily forecast will be Sunday, April 23. We will provide intermittent updates with any storm until Sunday, May 7th and will continue posting backcountry observations until then.

Recent Activity

We had no reports of avalanches from the backcountry yesterday. Find all avalanche and snowpack observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

Under mostly cloudy skies it is starting to snow lightly, trailhead temperatures are in the mid 30's °F and the highest weather station temperatures are in the mid 20's ˚F. Wind are blowing lightly from the south-southwest gusting to the moderate range at the 9,000' ridgelines and 20 gusting to 30 MPH at the highest ridgelines.

Today under overcast skies we should see temperatures 31-35˚ F with 6-12" of snow forecasted which could be rain at low elevations before the freezing level drops from 8,000' feet to 4,000'. Wind speeds will increase throughout the day blowing from the south-southwest 25 gusting to 35 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines and 35 gusting to 55 MPH with gusts up to 65 MPH at the 11,000' ridgelines. There is a chance of thunder and lightning and expect periods of increased snowfall and dropping temperatures as the frontal passage crests over the Wasatch this morning following by a second one with stronger winds later this afternoon.

Our partners at the National Weather Service have issued a Winter Weather Advisory from now until 700PM for snowfall accumulations of 6-12" in mountain regions.

General Announcements

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures