Bollettino valanghe

Salt Lake

Pubblicato il Apr 7, 2020valido fino al Apr 8, 2020Utah Avalanche Center

Pericolo valanghe

Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco

Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 6 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations and aspects. On upper elevation, northerly facing slopes with dry snow, triggering slabs of wind drifted snow is possible. On all other slopes, loose wet avalanches will become possible as the snow warms and becomes wet.

Problemi valanghivi

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco
Probabilità
Possible
Dimensione
2
If you're looking for dry snow, it mostly exists on upper elevation, north-facing slopes, BUT these slopes are ones where you may find soft slabs of wind drifted snow. Many of these wind slabs should have bonded and stabilized, but some may remain possible to trigger. Several observers reported snow transport still occurring yesterday at the highest elevations. That continued loading means wind slabs can be triggered today.

CORNICES - Cornices in some places are massive. These monsters are unpredictable especially during warm weather when they start bending downhill. Avoid being under or near the tops of large cornices.
Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta quota
Limite del bosco
Sotto il limite del bosco
Probabilità
Possible
Dimensione
1
Strong sunshine and warm air temperatures today should quickly warm the snow surface. As the snow becomes wet and loses cohesion, loose wet avalanches will be possible. Slopes with exposed rocks tend to heat up the most as rocks readily absorb solar radiation and add additional heat to the surrounding snow. These areas may produce some wet loose avalanches naturally.

Pay attention to how wet the snow becomes. The wetter it becomes the more likely it will be for wet avalanches to occur. Also watch for pinwheels and rollerballs tumbling downhill. Seeing more and more of these balls of snow roll downhill indicates that the likelihood of wet avalanches is increasing. Avoid being in creek bottoms or gullies as the snow gets wet because even small avalanches can be deadly in these confined areas.

The photo below shows a small rock band yesterday that warmed and caused roller balls of snow to fall downhill.

Special Announcement

Spring Awareness Campaign - Help us save lives through avalanche forecasts and education. Consider making a donation before April 8th. Uncertainty, Risk, & Decision Making: before, during, and after COVID-19 - Read this thought-provoking blog post about how we take risks by guest author Tom Diegel.

Recent Activity

Dry snow - After very strong south winds, there were seven soft slab avalanches of wind drifted snow reported on Sunday. Yesterday there were two reported slides caused by falling cornices. One occurred along the Park City Ridgeline in South Monitor Bowl that was about 100 ft wide. Another occurred in Alta Ski Area (which is backcountry terrain) that was 12-16 inches deep and 50 feet wide.

Wet snow - Yesterday in Mineral Fork, Nikki observed many rollerballs and pinwheels and was able to trigger small, slow-moving, wet loose avalanches. In Broads Fork, Mark White saw one small glide avalanche that had released and several glide cracks in the snow on rock slabs. *Seeing a large glide crack in the snow tells us that a glide avalanche may occur. Don't hang out or travel underneath slopes with these large cracks in them.

Snow and Weather

This morning temperatures range from the low 30s to mid 20s F. Ridgetop winds are blowing 15 mph from the southwest and gusting 20-30 mph.

Today will have mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing well into the 40s F. Winds may decrease some this afternoon and a few clouds may build and drop a trace of snow.

Snow - This weekend in the upper Cottonwood Canyons 5-10 inches of snow fell. Yesterday about an inch of snow/graupel fell above 7500 feet with a drizzle of rain below that elevation. The snow became wet up to about 8500 feet. Dry snow still exists in upper elevation north facing slopes.

Additional Info

Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.

Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.

New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.

General Announcements

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures