Avalanche forecast

Skyline

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The overall avalanche danger on the Manti Skyline is MODERATE today.

I'm guessing the new snow will be mostly stable today but watch for any cracking within it which would indicate sensitive conditions. The newest low density snow may be prone to sluffing on the steepest slopes.

There is still a minor chance of triggering a deep avalanche that breaks into old sugary faceted snow. The chances for this happening are quite low at this time.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    I honestly don't think the new snow we've received is going to pose much avalanche threat. It's been all "right side up" with no density inversions. We've had very little wind. These two factors are generally what make new snow unstable. That said, as always with new snow, you go out treating it guilty until you find signs that it's innocent.

    • Look for recent avalanches.
    • Watch for cracking within the new snow.
    • Use small steep "test slopes" to see if you can initiate any cracking or movement within the new snow.

    Generally, if you do this over a good sized area and you're not seeing any of these red flags, the new snow is stable.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    The old weak layers buried deep in the snowpack are the wild card. I believe we may have finally turned the corner where these layers aren't posing a huge threat anymore. Last week's very warm temperatures melted and settled the snowpack quite a bit. It is frozen up hard under the new snow. This has made it so that it is fairly unlikely that a person can affect those deep weak layers at this time. That said, I'm still uneasy about them and you won't find me in really steep terrain like what I would normally be riding at this time of the season in most years.

Snow and Weather

Current Conditions: We squeaked out 4 to 6 inches of snow overnight in most locations except the 12 mile zone which looks like it came up short. Temperatures have stayed cold and the snow quality should be quite good. Temperatures on Wednesday were in the mid 20s and dropped into the teens again overnight. Wind has been almost non-existent.

Mountain Weather: The big picture is a large low pressure system started moving through Monday night and it's still influencing our weather for the next few days. Today we'll see cloudy skies and periods of snow through the day. A few more inches may stack up. Temperatures will get into the mid 20s. Wind will be light from the north northwest. Friday looks similar then things start to break Saturday.

Additional Info

SKYLINE AVALANCHES & OBSERVATIONS

CAMERAS & WEATHER STATIONS

INSTAGRAM: SKYLINE_AVALANCHE

FACEBOOK: SKYLINE AVALANCHE

FORECAST EMAIL

PREVIOUS FORECASTS

General Announcements

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.

Regions covered