Avalanche forecast

Uintas

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today, CONSIDERABLE danger exists on the north half of the compass at mid and upper elevations and human-triggered avalanches are LIKELY breaking hundreds of feet wide andfailing up to 4 feet deep into old, faceted snow. It is a tricky set-up out there and we can remotely trigger very large, timber-snapping, destructive avalanches from the flats or a distance away.

For the best riding and to avoid our nasty avalanche problem, I'm grabbing a ticket to upper elevation, protected, polar terrain under 30° without any overhead hazard and giving large slopes plenty of room.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    A well-connected persistent slab avalanche that failed in mid-elevations around 9,400' on a WNW slope in Weber Canyon near Shingle Mill Peak.

    Our persistent weak layer has been no match for last weeks storms that piled up almost 3' of snow with 3" of liquid water on top of it. A dense, strong, pencil-hard slab sits atop our weak January Drought Layer (JDL) of persistent, faceted grains. Track a trench or dig down and check it out for yourself, and don't forget to use your avalanche eyeballs as the avalanches help to tell their own story. This past weeks natural avalanche cycle helps us key and clue in on the behavior of these wide, deep, and dangerous slides.

    Yes, we are past the peak of sensitivity to triggers like us and we are seeing less obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing. But the evidence is clear, and very large, destructive avalanches are waiting for a trigger like us to roll along and kick the legs out from under it. Keep in mind that the snowpack is most susceptible to our weight as a rider, and easiest to trigger in suspect terrain that is thin and shallow near trees or rock outcroppings, and in protected areas free of wind.

    Avoidance is the go-to and only tool for this avalanche problem,. These avalanches are unmanageable, destructive, and ready to ruin our day in the backcountry. I am steering clear of any chance of a run-in and avoiding all avalanche terrain on the north half of the compass where this avalanche dragon exists. Above is a rough profile from near Currant Creek, where dense and cohesive storm snow from last week has consolidated on top our our JDL, and is now the focus point of our hazard. This maritime-esque slab is no match for our continental faceted weak layer.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Over the past few days light to moderate winds have help wind-drifted snow form into small slabs, and today a few lingering drifts may be encountered today up in the windzone at upper elevations, around the compass. Although stubborn to triggers and small in size, even a small avalanche could knock you off your feet or into consequences of terrain like trees, rocks and cliffs.

    In dealing with this manageable problem look for and avoid rounded, textured drifts that look like pillows. They are likely to be found on on the leeward sides of ridges, below cornices, or on cross-loaded terrain features such as gullies, cut banks, and slope convexities.

    Above, a small natural wind-drift failed underneath a cornice on an east facing slope at upper elevations. I would expect todays drifts to look similar as the one above and be stubborn to our additional weight as a rider.

Recent Activity

There is no shortage of evidence and recent avalanche activity from across the range. Over the past week and a half we have gone through multiple loading events and avalanche cycles, with most of our significant avalanche activity on aspects facing NW through E, at mid and upper elevations.

On Currant Creek Peak at 10,700', a large and destructive D2.5 avalanche tore down the northeast chute stacking up a sizable amount of debris full of thigh-thick old timber and chunks as heavy as my Doo itself.

View All Avalanches & Observations Here

Snow and Weather

Nowcast - As of 0500 overcast skies in the valley are paired with humid air, and steady temperatures near the 20's°F. At our highest elevations, ridge top winds blow from the west lightly, around 10-15 MPH with gusts into the 20's. Skies remain obscured today as pre-frontal weather rolls into town ahead of a small passage due for the range tomorrow.

Forecast - Expect mild and warm temperatures with scattered snow showers later today. It may not accumulate, but it will be enough to make it feel rugged out there -- And yes, depending upon what elevation you are at, you may see some rain showers if you are below 9,000'. Temperatures keep steady, with a high of 35°F today at the trailheads, while higher elevations keep a bit cooler, closer to freezing. Winds will be tempered and blowing lightly from the west, around 15 MPH with a few gusts into the 20's up high, and look to ramp up later on towards supper time.

Futurecast - Stay hopeful for light snowfall accumulations tomorrow and into the start of the working week, as a few additional inches of snowfall would go a long way for our current conditions.

Check out the Uinta Weather Network here!

Travel Conditions - From zero, to hero, then right back to spring-like conditions. You wouldn't know that the Uinta's received nearly 2-3' of snow last week with almost 3" of SWE by the looks of things outta the gate. Many of our trailheads received rain earlier this week and the pack took a hit down low, making travel in and out of riding zones difficult. The price of admission may be worth it for some, and with a few thousand feet of elevation gain and a little adventuring, surfy and spongey riding conditions will be waiting to greet you in protected, north facing terrain.

My friend Steve and I were buzzing around yesterday on the South Slope, near Currant Creek and struggled to find quality riding throughout the day below 10,000'. Its a mixed bag of conditions out there with a whole lot of type-two fun to be had!

Additional Info

Join the UAC for the first "Stay and Play Avalanche Course" at Bear River Lodge in the Uintas, March 19th-22nd. This course is designed for snowmobilers by snowmobilers, where you will learn avalanche rescue, riding skills, and how to survive in the backcountry. Come enjoy all the luxury offerings at Bear River Lodge and improve your skills along the way.

Our Avalanche Rescue Training Park is set-up and located at the top of Wolf Creek Pass, SR-35, and is waiting for you to come take it for a spin! Open up the control unit, flip a few switches, and dial in your avalanche rescue skills with this roadside attraction!

General Announcements

We have some upcoming classes and events that we'd be stoked to see you at -- Please reach out with any questions and check out below for more details!

See All Courses & Events Here

We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. Reach out to us with questions, concerns, or if you see anything in your travels! Contact us directly through the info below:

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. This forecast was issued on Sunday, March 1 at 0500 and expires 24 hours after it was issued. We'll update this information by 07:00 AM tomorrow.

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