Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Issued Feb 1, 2021valid to Feb 2, 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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE today in the higher terrain. Human triggered avalanches are likely on slopes steeper than about 30 degrees and especially where the wind has been drifting the newer snow.

The snowpack is exceptionally weak. Patience and caution need to be used for some time to come. You are asking for trouble if you play on steep hills right now.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
The very weak snowpack is starting to show what it can do. Snow and wind over the last week has created new layers of snow on top of the old weak sugar. The result has been a number of natural avalanches and two human triggered avalanches. We are far from done with this situation. This buried weak snow is known as a Persistent Weak Layer because it will persist and produce avalanches for a long period of time.

Recent Activity

There was one large snowmobile triggered avalanche on Sunday. It was in upper Spring Creek near the Skyline Summit. Many people watched it happen from the kiting area. A rider was hill climbing when he triggered it. It broke 3 to 4 feet deep and about 150 feet wide. He was able to outrun the avalanche as it came down behind him coverning his tracks. This was a very close call.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: Southwest wind blew the snow around a bit in the higher terrain on Sunday. It actually was from the southeast for a short period of time mid day. It is still a bit breezy along the highest terrain. Overnight temperatures were in the mid 20s. Riding conditions are variable due to a mix of old hard wind drifts and crusts as well as many areas being very punchy and unsupportable.

Mountain Weather: We'll see high clouds today with temperatures near freezing in the upper elevations. Southwest wind will continue in the moderate speed catagory. The next chance for snow is Wednesday. Unfortunately, the storm looks weaker and weaker as time progresses. At this point, we'll be lucky to see 6 inches of new snow.