The avalanche danger will rise to Moderate at the upper elevations with avalanches possible as snowfall accumulates. Avalanches may involve long-running sluffs and shallow pockets of wind-drifted snow.
You will need to continually assess the snowpack structure on each slope as new snow and fresh wind drifts will be falling on an existing snow surface that is widely-variable.
We have been able to travel in avalanche terrain with relative impunity over the past 7 weeks but now the avalanche danger is on the rise. Be aware of changing conditions as the day progresses.
As snowfall accumulates, avalanches may involve fast and long-running sluffs. Although wind, sun, clouds, and warmth have helped deteriorate weak snow on the surface, the top 2-12" of the existing snow surface is weak and faceted on upper slopes facing northwest through north and east, and this terrain will be the most suspect.
Although moderate and decreasing winds are forecast, shallow pockets of fresh wind drifts are possible on all upper elevation aspects. Any recent or fresh wind drifts will be sensitive if they have formed on top of weaker snow underneath.
The existing snow surface is widely-variable and this will require assessing the snowpack structure on each slope looking for weaker snow underneath any new storm or wind-blown snow.
No avalanches reported from Sunday. Two observations from Sunday:
Currently: Temperatures are in the teens and winds are from the west/southwest and have decreased after peaking around midnight. At mid-elevations, winds are in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph. Add 10 mph at the upper elevations. Light snowfall began around 6 am.
Today: A cold front will sag through the region today with temperatures in the teens. Winds will be from the west/northwest and moderate, averaging in the low teens with gusts in the low 20's at mid-elevations and slightly higher along exposed upper-elevation ridgelines. Snow totals will depend upon the position of the cold front: we could see anywhere from 2-4" of new snow throughout the day.
Extended: Unsettled weather with periods of snow expected through Wednesday.
On Wednesday, February 16th: Trent Meisenheimer (SLC), Brett Kobernik (Skyline), Drew Hardesty (SLC), and Toby Weed (Logan) discuss the current dry weather and try to reminisce on history in 2007 when a similar dry period happened.
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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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.
