Abajos

Breezy southwesterly winds will cause the avalanche danger to rise today as fresh deposits of wind drifted snow add stress to buried persistent weak layers. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on steep slopes facing NW-NE-SE near treeline and above and deep and deep and dangerous human-triggered avalanches up to 4' deep remain likely in these areas. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on most south-facing slopes near treeline and below and human-triggered avalanches remain possible.

No new avalanche activity has been observed since Brian Murdock reported this avalanche on Horse Head Mountain on Monday. It likely ran naturally sometime during the storm last weekend.

Overnight SW winds picked up ahead of the next trough of low-pressure diving across the Great Basin. Today look for increasing clouds and blustery southwest winds with a chance for snow developing this afternoon and into the evening. Points north and those areas favored by NW flow will see the best chance for snow. Winds will shift to the NW as the trough passes through and temps will plummet into the single digits. Sunday should be dry and clear with breezy NW winds. Conditions remain dry through Tues with a slight chance for snow brewing Tues night into Wed.

NWS Weather Forecast.

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

Snowpack Discussion

It was a beautiful day in the mountains yesterday and my partner Kevin Dressel and I took advantage of the last day for powder snow on southerly aspects. By afternoon the strong sun and warm temperatures moistened the snow surface and sun-exposed slopes will be crusted over today. Plenty of soft dry powder remains on sheltered, northerly aspects, but you still need to keep your slope angles under 30 degrees to avoid triggering an avalanche. Buried persistent weak layers of loose, sugary snow exist deep in the snowpack and storm snow from last week has added stress to these weak layers. Fresh deposits of wind drifted snow today will add further stress.

Photo below illustrates the type of terrain that should still be avoided. Slope is: 1) steep 2) subject to wind loading 3) northerly facing and therefore harboring layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow.

Under the current conditions, tickling slopes from below can cause avalanches to release from above.

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.

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This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.