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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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 you'll find MODERATE avalanche danger In the wind zone at and above treeline where fresh drifts and shallow storm slabs will react to our additional weight. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE, especially on steep, drifted, leeward slopes and particularly those with an easterly component to their aspect.

Don't take your eyes off the prize on mid elevation polars where the pack is thinner. While becoming more the exception than the rule, we can still trigger a large piece of snow that fails on weaker layers developed during the January drought, now buried several feet beneath the snow surface. Steep, rocky terrain or slopes that have avalanched multiple times this year is bulls-eye terrain.

(Mid and lower elevation south facing terrain is a patchy mix of snow and exposed turf and hardly a player.)

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Above, a 27 hour data dump from Windy Peak (10,662') illustrating very predictable wind trends during the recent storm

    Not a particularly windy storm for us, but I bet there's a fresh wind drift or two that'll react to our additional weight, especially on steep leeward slopes with an easterly component to their aspect. This is a very manageable avalanche dragon to identify and an equally easy one to avoid. Simply steer clear of any fat, rounded pillows of snow, especially if they feel hollow underfoot.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    My hunch is we're moving away from this avalanche problem (see below for a deeper dive), but rather than diving head first into big terrain, play a little mini golf on slopes similar in aspect and elevation and see how they're feeling before blindly punching an aggressive line.

    Mild temps, strong spring sunshine, and a whole 'lotta water go a long way to help a snowpack begin healing and I'm psyched the January PWL is feeling some warm love from our recent storms. The good news... the snowpack is beginning to gain strength and other than a subtle whumph or two, I'm encouraged to see it adjusting to the big mid-February storm. Now for the flake news... remember, all we need to do is find a weakness, maybe around a rock or a bush, collapse the pack, and now we're staring down the barrel of a dangerous slide.

    Becoming more the exception than the rule, this is still the type of avalanche we can trigger today, if we're able to find a weakness in a thin portion of the slab and knock the legs out from underneath.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    During periods of increased snowfall rates or with a kiss of strong sunshine, fresh storm snow will become more reactive to our additional weight, especially on sustained steep slopes, even at lower elevations,

Recent Activity

Other than shallow sluffs and a few wind drifts, the eastern front was relatively quiet Thursday.

Ted was out and about Wednesday and noted this fresh storm slab in the Gold Hill area. He's got a great writeup and as aways, a solid trip report with decades of local insight found here.

View All Avalanches & Observations Here

Snow and Weather

Nowcast - Yesterday's storm was a bit of a bust, but he who looks in the rearview for too long crashes. The good news moving forward is... the high country managed to squeeze out 8" of snow with just about .40" H2O. Or in words other than avalanche geek-speak... ultra- low density, pixie dust. Light snow showers linger at o'dark thirty as ridgetop winds blow 10-20 mph from the northwest. Cold air filtered into the region overnight and current temperatures register in low to mid teens °F.

Forecast - Snow continues for the morning commute and I'm thinking an additional 2"-4" before things wind down by early afternoon. It's gonna feel like winter as temperatures only bump into the mid 20's °F. Winds blow from the north and northeast and remain well-behaved, averaging 15-25 mph near the high peaks.

Futurecast - A stunning weekend is on tap. High and dry for the upcoming week.

Check out the Uinta Weather Network here!

Travel Conditions - Trailhead access got a nice boost from recent storminess and lower elevation travel is shifting away from pavement burning, sparks flying kind of obnoxious, into a more seamless, type 2 fun category.

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 Friday, March 06 at 0400 and expires 24 hours after it was issued. We'll update this information by 07:00 AM tomorrow.

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