Bollettino valanghe

Salt Lake

Pubblicato il Jan 27, 2023valido fino al Jan 28, 2023Utah Avalanche Center

Pericolo valanghe

Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco

Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 4 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

The avalanche danger is MODERATE at upper elevations where there are sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow. The avalanche danger is LOW outside of wind-affected terrain and in the low and mid elevations.

Long-running sluffs are also possible in steep, sustained terrain.

Cornices continue to grow in size. Avoid traveling below or along corniced ridgelines as they can break further back than you might expect.

Problemi valanghivi

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco
Probabilità
Likely
Dimensione
2
Areas of sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow can be expected at the upper elevations, especially in open terrain above 10,000'. These wind drifts have been isolated in recent days, but with increasing wind speeds today, I am expecting these drifts to be more widespread. These drifts will be 6-18" thick and they may allow you to get onto the wind slab before cracking, possibly even above you. Watch for signs of wind-drifted snow including dense snow that cracks around your skis or snowboard, as shown below. (Photo from Prescott)

Cornices continue to grow in size and will be sensitive, possibly breaking further back than you anticipate. Give them a wide berth by traveling well-away from corniced ridgelines.

Special Announcement

Join the UAC, Weston Backcountry, Utah Mountain Adventures, and more vendors this Sunday, January 29 for the Brighton Beacon Bash near the Milly Chalet from 9 am to 4 pm. Beacon practice, backcountry ski and board demos, and much more! Click HERE for more info.

Recent Activity

On Thursday, observers were finding pockets of sensitive wind drifted snow at the upper elevations. The most notable avalanche involved a catch-and-carry on a Southeast aspect on Little Superior at 10,300'. This involved a fresh wind drift up to 18" thick where the rider was carried for 60' before coming to a stop on top of the snow surface. The avalanche continued for another 800' vertical. Huge thanks to the party involved for the excellent writeup, description, and photos, including the photo below.

There is also another nice observation from White Pine with three different avalanches reported, all likely involving recent wind-drifted snow.

Glide cracks are visible in areas of Broads Fork, including Bonkers and Stairs Gulch. Open glide cracks can lead to full-depth glide avalanches, though the timing between the initial appearance of a crack and an actual glide avalanche can be anywhere between seconds and months. Glide avalanches are unlikely to be triggered by a person, but natural failures are very challenging to predict. Practice safe travel techniques of exposing only one person at a time while traveling underneath these open cracks.

Snow and Weather

Temperatures range through the teens and winds are from the west/northwest. Below about 10,000', wind speeds are generally light with gusts in the teens. But things change above 10,000' with winds gusting into the 20's mph. At 11,000', winds are averaging in the 40's with gusts into the 50's mph. A trace of snow fell overnight.

For today, temperatures will climb into the 20's with light snow throughout the day. Snowfall rates will increase mid-afternoon with 3-4" of new snowfall expected by sunset. Below about 10,000', the west/northwest winds will remain light with gusts into the teens. Between 10-11,000' winds will gust into the 20's, with gusts in the 50's mph at 11,000'. There is the potential for very strong winds along upper-elevation ridgelines with gusts up to 80 mph.

Life in the snow globe continues with heavy snowfall overnight into Saturday, with storms totals potentially exceeding 12" in the upper Cottonwoods by later Saturday. Another storm Sunday afternoon into Monday.

Aspects facing south and southwest have a thin sun crust underneath any new snow.

General Announcements

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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