Avalanche forecast

Salt Lake

Issued Mar 30, 2020valid to Mar 31, 2020Utah 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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger persist primarily along the upper elevations on many aspects. Human triggered avalanches 12-18" deep are possible. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern, and avoid those areas. If the intense March sun comes out today, you can bet the avalanche danger will instantly spike on steep sunny aspects. Keep an eye on the cloud cover and if the snow surface is staying dry and cold. Rollerballs are the first sign of unstable snow. The best and safest riding remains on the sun and wind-sheltered slopes less than 35° in steepness.

Avalanche problems

Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
You'll still be able to trigger soft slab avalanches 12-18" deep and up to 100' wide on many aspects above about 9000'. Cracking and collapsing may not be evident as an easy clue to instability. Similarly, a quick hand pit or shovel test on this slope may not reveal much information about that slope. Many different weak layer interfaces are in play, and they vary with location to location.

Mark Staples and I found very stable snow yesterday in our snowpits. However, the amount of avalanche activity is the trump card for letting me know that the new snow is still unstable.

HEADS UP: If the wind forecast verifies this afternoon, then we need to be on the lookout for fresh drifts of wind-blown snow. There is plenty of fresh snow for the wind to quickly whip up a new batch of wind slabs. Be willing to alter your plans and always update your on-the-snow forecast as springtime weather can drastically change the avalanche conditions.

Special Announcement

If you rely on the UAC forecasts each day you get out, consider making a donation during our Spring Awareness Campaign to help us continue providing the avalanche forecasts and education you rely on. The UAC encourages everyone to follow directions from state, city, and county officials. The following is from Joe Dougherty, spokesman for the Utah Division of Emergency Management:

Though outdoor recreation is still permitted under the governor’s Stay Safe/Stay Home directive, we recommend that people maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.

Be extra cautious to avoid injuries outdoors. We are working with our hospital systems to conserve as much personal protective equipment as possible in case of hospitalizations.

Most outdoor injuries can be prevented. Know the conditions and know your limits, so you don’t end up in a hospital.

Recent Activity

The string of human triggered avalanches continues in the backcountry. In the past five days, we've had 42 human triggered avalanches with 14 people being caught and carried. Yesterday was no exception with another seven human-triggered slides and three people going for rides.

Farmington Lakes - 8,500' northeast facing 2.5' x 300' wide.
Mt. Wolverine - 10,200' southwest facing 8" x 50' wide. One rider caught and carried.
Mill B South - 10,000' southwest facing 2' x 100' wide. One rider caught and carried.
Neffs - 9000' northwest facing 6" x 10' wide.
Benson & Hedges Ridge - 10,200' west facing 12"x 50' wide running 1,000' vertical.
Brighton Backcountry - 9,800' west facing 12" x 40' wide.
Evergreen Ridge - 9,600' northwest facing 12" x 40' wide. One rider caught and carried.

(More info found in the Menu bar above. Locations found on wbskiing.com).

Snow and Weather

Under mostly cloudy skies, the mountain temperatures are in the upper teens to low 20's °F across the board. Winds are blowing southwest 5-10 mph gusting to 15 mph across the upper elevation terrain. Since Friday, we've picked up a trace to 4" of new snow.

For today, we can expect on and off again snow showers and, at times, partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will remain below freezing at elevations above 9,000'. Winds are forecasted to pick up this morning and into the early afternoon with 9,000' ridgelines blowing southwest 10-20 mph and 11,000' blowing southwest 20-30 mph gusting to 50 mph.

The riding and turning conditions remain epic with soft powder on many aspects at the upper elevations. Aspects that were kissed by the sun will support a thin crust with 2-4" of new snow on top. At lower elevations, the snow is damp and manky.

Additional Info

Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access. New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures