The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on mid and upper-elevation aspects facing northwest through north and east where a dangerous persistent weak layer exists. Human-triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible. Avalanches may be 2-3 feet deep and over a hundred feet wide. Other than low-elevation southerly slopes that hold little or no snow, all other slopes have a MODERATE avalanche danger where human-triggered avalanches are possible.
Small, wet-loose avalanches are possible at low and mid-elevation northerly slopes with today's warm temperatures.
Today's south/southwest winds will drift snow onto the aspects where the PWL exists: mid and upper-elevation slopes facing northwest, north, and east where human-triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches possible, Any avalanche failing on the PWL will be 2-3 feet deep and over 100 feet wide,
Soft slabs of dense storm snow and wind-drifted snow 8-12 inches thick can be found on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. These soft slabs may fail on different layers, including crusts on southerly aspects. On aspects facing northwest, north, and east, any avalanche may break down to the deeply-buried PWL. The graphic below demonstrates the aspects where you can find wind-drifted snow based on the direction the wind is blowing from.
We are deeply saddened to confirm two avalanche fatalities. The first involved a 38 year old man in Main Porter Fork of Mill Creek Canyon who went missing on Saturday. The second avalanche fatality occurred Tuesday that involved a 54 year old man off Davenport Hill into Silver Fork of BCC. Both individuals were traveling alone in the backcountry. Our condolences go out to to the family and friends of the victims.
Many thanks to those who responded to these accidents: search and rescue teams from AirMed, LifeFlight, Utah Dept Public Safety, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta Ski Area, and members of the Utah Avalanche Center.
Main Porter Preliminary Accident Report (1st photo - SL County SAR) Original avalanche obscured by recent snow/wind. Avalanches in photo are from explosives to protect rescuers.
Davenport Hill Preliminary Accident Report (2nd photo - Wasatch Backcountry Rescue) The victim was buried 20 feet deep.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Backcountry observers and snow safety teams from local resorts report collapsing in upper-elevation wind-loaded terrain.
Derek DeBruin and Cage Vigil have an excellent observation from Thursday along Cutler Ridge.
For detailed field reports, check out all recent observations.
Reminder: Please call your closest ski patrol dispatch (INFO) if you happen to witness a new avalanche near a ski area and are sure there is no one involved. This allows rescue teams to stand down and not stick their necks out if they're not needed. Thank you -
6 am: Temperatures have been on the rise overnight and are in the upper 20's through mid 30's F. Winds are from the southwest and have also increased overnight, gusting into the 20's mph along exposed ridges.
24-hour snowfall totals are 5-11" containing 0.7 - 1.5 inches of water.
Today: Mostly sunny this morning, with clouds filling in during the afternoon. Temperatures will rise into the upper 30's and low 40's F. Winds will be from the southwest and will average in the teens with gusts in the 25-35 mph along exposed ridges.
This Weekend: Increasing winds this evening with snowfall beginning overnight. A cold front arrives around dawn on Saturday, with heavy snowfall on a cold northwest flow, with 8-12 inches of new snow possible.
Researchers Ian McCammon and Kelly McNeil looked into safety habits that markedly increase our margins of safety. Please take a moment to look over these and recalibrate your safety habits: Six Tips That Could Save Your Life (Recent updates to Safety Messaging)
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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.
