Bollettino valanghe

Salt Lake

Pubblicato il Apr 3, 2023valido fino al Apr 4, 2023Utah Avalanche Center

Pericolo valanghe

Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco

Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 3 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE with today's heavy snowfall. During periods of high snowfall rates, natural avalanches will be possible; human triggered avalanches will be likely. Don't underestimate activity in the low elevation bands. Anticipate changing conditions and a rising danger today.

Cornices are not to be trifled with. Give them a wide berth.

Soft snow and good turns can be found on slopes under 30 degrees.

Problemi valanghivi

Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco
Probabilità
Very Likely
Dimensione
2
Primary Concern: High snowfall rates will lead to sensitive and reactive avalanche conditions in the new snow today.

While I expect the new snow to bond reasonably well to the old snow surfaces, it may not matter that much when it snows one, two, or three inches an hour. The highest snowfall rates are expected this morning through midday, but at-times heavy snowfall will continue this afternoon....through Wednesday morning. Note that with continued snowfall, the avalanche will get deeper, wider, and may even start step down into slow-to-heal weaknesses from the last storm cycle.

During exceptionally high snowfall rates, soft slab and loose snow avalanches may run naturally on all aspects. Pay attention to cracking and use test slopes to gauge sensitivity.

Choose low angle terrain (<30°) and be aware of runout zones as the new snow may avalanche on top of you.

TREND: Increasing danger
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco
Probabilità
Possible
Dimensione
2
Secondary Concern: Lingering soft slabs of wind drifted snow. On my tour yesterday, I noted extensive transport of wind drifted snow at the mid and upper elevations. Although we didn't hear of any new soft slabs of wind drifted snow triggered in the backcountry yesterday, I can't rule them out. These drifts, however, will be camouflaged by today's new snow and any new snow avalanche may be enough of a crow-bar to trigger one of yesterday's wind slabs.

***I am not forecasting much wind for today, but if you do see more wind than expected, all bets are off - and you'll need to avoid all deposits of wind drifted snow.

Trend: Same

Recent Activity

No reports from of avalanche activity from the backcountry yesterday.

Check out all observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

We are still living in a snow globe. We're about to be engulfed by yet another slow, cold, moisture-laden Pacific storm.

As of 5am, snow totals are 2-4" in the Cottonwoods and along the Park City ridgeline. The Ogden mountains are already up to 8-12"; the Provo mountains a trace to 2".

Mountain temperatures are in the upper teens to mid-20s. Winds are light to moderate from the southwest.

For today, we'll see heavy snowfall with generally light winds from the west and then northwest. Temps will be in the upper teens and low 20s. I expect 10-18" today...with snowfall amounts through Wednesday reaching 35-45" (2-2.5" SWE) in favored areas. While I don't see wind being too much of an issue today, they are forecast to increase this evening. Temps drop to the single digits overnight.

The Alta Guard has been keeping records since the winter of 1944/1945. Last month (March), they recorded 179" of snow (16.54" snow water equivalent), narrowly missing the all-time high March snowfall in 1964 when they recorded 183". Currently, the Alta Guard has recorded 596" for this winter (November 1- current). The all time record for maximum snowfall Nov-April was winter 94/95 of 745". See the numbers for yourself HERE.

Ed LaChapelle at the Alta Guard snow study site, photo courtesy University of Utah Marriott library, special collections

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.

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