Bulletin d’avalanche

Salt Lake

Émis le Apr 5, 2020valide jusqu’au Apr 6, 2020Utah Avalanche Center

Danger d’avalanche

Alpin
Limite forestière
Sous la limite forestière

Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 6 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Most terrain has LOW avalanche danger. Pockets of MODERATE DANGER for wind drifts may be found along the higher elevation bands today on predominantly northwest to northeast to south facing slopes. Shallow sluffing in the new snow may also be observed in the steepest terrain. Lastly, avoid being above or below the giant cornices perched along the ridgelines.

When the snow becomes wet and unsupportable, you've overstayed your welcome; move to low angle terrain or head home.

Problèmes avalancheux

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpin
Limite forestière
Sous la limite forestière
Probabilité
Possible
Taille
2
Sensitive, pockety and shallow wind drifts will be found along the highest elevation bands this morning. They'll be most pronounced on northwest to northeast to south facing slopes. These drifts will look smooth, rounded, pillowy, and/or scalloped and should crack out in steep terrain. Remember that even a small wind slab can be problematic in very steep and complicated terrain.

The large, overhanging cornices become more tender in the spring and start to calve either naturally or with the additional weight of a person. Cornice-related fatalities account for about 5% of our accidents.

Special Announcement

Spring Awareness Campaign - Help us save lives through avalanche forecasts and education. Consider making a donation before April 8th. We are sad to share the news of two recent avalanche fatalities:

On Wednesday, Trace Carrillo died in an avalanche on Taylor Mountain near Teton Pass. Trace was formerly an intern with the UAC and more recently a wilderness ranger with the Forest Service. Article here. Preliminary report here.

On Friday, Rob Kincaid died in an avalanche just north of Palisades Reservoir near the ID/WY stateline. Rob was well known by many snowmobilers as an athlete for Arctic Cat and veteran of many snowmobile competitions. Article here. Preliminary report here.

More details should be available soon about these tragic events but initial reports are that both men were wearing avalanche transceivers that were not turned on. Grizzly Gulch Parking will be restricted to residents and homeowners only for April 4th and 5th to promote social distancing on busy days. Recreation visitors can access the trailhead but will need to park in the Albion parking Lot, the Wildcat parking lot, or along SR-210.

January 5, 2019 - Read this collection of 6 stories and a podcast about that day with a low avalanche danger, 8 skier-triggered avalanches, four catch and carries, a partial and critical burial, and a trip to the emergency room.

Recent Activity

Avalanche activity was at a minimum yesterday.

We only heard about a fresh wind slab avalanche that ran naturally with the winds yesterday high on Mt Baldy in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon. It was about a foot deep. Another party looking to get into steep terrain high on Timpanogos noted plumes and wind transport and wisely adjusted their plans.

Wet avalanche activity was also noted on south facing Superior in LCC.

Snow and Weather

As of 6am, it's snowing with a trace to 4" so far this morning.

Mountain temperatures and southerly winds continue to climb.

Overnight lows are in the mid to upper 20s; southerly winds are averaging 20-25mph with gusts to 40.

Synoptically speaking, it's not the best weather pattern as we're in sort of a 'no-man's land' with the main jet stream to the north and a cut-off Low pressure storm system to the west. It's this storm system that's driving most of our weather as it eventually moves inland and impacts mostly southern Utah through the early part of the week. We'll see a few showers here and there, but it'll be mostly wind and warm temps for us.

For today, expect occasional spring showers with occasional sun-breaks. Southwest winds will be 25-30mph along the ridgelines. Mountain temperatures will reach into the mid ot upper 30s up high and near 50°F down low.

Additional Info

Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.

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