Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Issued Jan 28, 2021valid to Jan 29, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Freshly formed wind drifts on top of weak sugary snow has created a "pockety" CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Scattered human triggered avalanches are likely. Below is what to watch out for:

Upper elevation slopes steeper than 30˚ especially along ridgelines
Recently formed drifts of wind blown snow
Weak underlying faceted "sugary" snow

Windy conditions will continue to form dangerous drifts of snow for the next 24 hours.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
The Persistent Weak Layer of faceted sugary snow is present all over the Skyline. We are now basically waiting for enough new snow to stack up on top to the point of overloading the weak snow and cause avalanches. The current and future southwest wind is moving snow and forming scattered drifts. Many of these drifts will be forming on top of the pre-existing weak snow. These areas are the most likely places for a person to trigger an avalanche today. They will be pockety in nature and not all that large. That said, it's a dangerous situation right now.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: The southwest wind picked up on Tuesday and was a bit gusty along the ridges. Light snow fell over the last 24 hours but only added a trace to an inch or so. Temperatures have warmed to near 20˚F in most locations. Riding conditions are hit or miss with things being quite variable from place to place. The snowpack remains shallow and punchy.

Mountain Weather:

The wind is going to continue today with moderate to strong speeds along the ridges. It will generally be from the southwest and looks like it will increase as the day goes on. We'll have mostly cloudy skies and high temperatures into the upper 20s. The next chance for snow is Friday into Friday night. It is certainly nothing to get too excited about but we should pick up a few inches of new snow.