Provo
Pericolo valanghe
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
In sintesi
The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects at all elevations. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, but not impossible, and could occur in isolated terrain.
Continue to use safe travel protocol practices when in avalanche terrain - keep a close eye on your partners and expose only one person at a time on a slope.
Additional Info
What happened to the Persistent Weak Layer problem? The PWL problem first appeared in the December 12 forecast, and since that time numerous large natural and human-triggered avalanches have occurred, failing on the layer of faceted snow down near the ground on mid and upper elevation aspects facing west, north, and east. This PWL formed from snowfall in October and early November that weakened during the prolonged dry spell through November and early December. Heavy snowfall in December and early January snowfall placed a 3-5' deep slab of strong/dense snow on top of this layer (as shown in this photo by Meredith Johnson) and it is now unlikely a skier or rider could affect this deeply-buried layer. Although we may not have any remaining issues with this PWL this season, for now we are saying the PWL problem has become dormant as it may again become reactive with future storms.
Recent Activity
No backcountry avalanches were reported yesterday.
Yesterday, within the Central Wasatch there was one observation from Upper Mill B South, that did get propagation within their pit. It has been a few days since anyone has gotten any obvious signs of instability within a pit. While the snowpit depth was over 3 meters deep and did not propagate within the weak faceted grains at the ground, the observer got propagation within a near-surface facet layer approx 35cm down. This pit was dug on a Northeast aspect at 10,500', and had a firm, wind drifted surface. While these results seemed isolated, it is worth paying attention to the weakening snow surface and any weakening near-surface layers within the shady upper elevation aspects moving into our next precipitation event.
Layer of near surface facets that the ECT and CT failed on 35cm down on a NE Aspect at 10,500'. (Z. Little)
Snow and Weather
This morning, there are a few clouds in the sky and temperatures are in the upper teens and low 20s F. Winds are from the west-southwest and picked up a bit - gusting in the 20s along mid-elevation ridges with gusts in the upper 30s and low 40s mph along the highest peaks.
Today will remain mostly cloudy, temperatures will rise into the upper 20s F and the west-northwesterly winds will remain moderate, gusting in the 20s at mid-elevations and low-30's mph at the highest peaks.
Soft snow and good riding can still be found on shady, wind-sheltered aspects above 8,000'. The snow surface is weakening on these slopes where it has become faceted with some surface hoar.
The next chance for appreciable snowfall looks to come Thursday night into Friday as a system drops south through the area. Given the current trajectory only modest snowfall amounts are expected with this system, between 2-5".
General Announcements
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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.