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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Saturday morning, December 21, 2024
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on mid and upper-elevation slopes facing northwest through north through east and upper-elevation west-facing terrain, where it is possible to trigger an avalanche 1-3 feet deep, failing on a persistent weak layer of faceted snow. Recently, wind-loaded slopes at the upper elevations have been the most prone to avalanches.
Sluffing of loose wet snow should be expected with strong sunshine and warm temperatures.
Please respect ski area boundaries at all resorts. Especially if they are doing control work.
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Special Announcements
Now is a great time to dial in your safety gear, including putting fresh new batteries in your beacons! Local shops across the state will be handing out free Batteries for Beacons from now until February 1, 2025. All you need to do is fill out a quick survey and grab the AAA or AA batteries you need to keep your beacon fresh this season. Find participating shops and more info here.
Weather and Snow
Happy Solstice!
Under clear skies, the mountain temperatures range from 22 °F at low-elevation trailheads to 37 °F at 10,000'. The wind has picked up from the southwest, blowing 10-20 mph with gusts into the 20s across the upper elevation terrain. The free air (11,000') is blowing 30-35 mph gusting into the 40s.
Today, we will see an increase in southwest wind as high pressure slides east as a storm passes overhead through Idaho and Montana. We will only see passing clouds at times. Temperatures will rise into the mid-40s °F once again. Southwest wind is forecast to blow 10-20 mph with gusts into the 20s and 30s.
We will see a small storm Sunday evening into Monday with a few inches of snow. Another storm is on tap for Christmas with what looks to be a pattern change to ring in the new year. Fingers crossed, we get some snow!
Recent Avalanches
The last avalanche activity reported from the backcountry occurred on Tuesday: (1) in Days Fork and (2) Scotts Peak along the Park City ridgeline. These avalanches were on northeast aspects and 2 feet deep, with the Days Fork avalanche 800 feet wide, each failing on our buried persistent weak layer.
Yesterday, the Alta Avalanche Office reported a couple of size two avalanches (large enough to bury a person) triggered with explosives in northerly facing terrain around 10,000 feet in elevation. One observer noted large and disconcerting collapses near treeline on west aspects failing in the facets.
Find all observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A persistent weak layer - or PWL - of faceted snow exists on northerly-facing slopes at the mid and upper-level elevations where it is possible to trigger an avalanche up to 1-3 feet deep and over 100 feet wide. Avalanche activity and field work this week inform us that the slopes that are most prone to slide are recently wind-loaded and have a slab of stronger snow on top of the buried PWL.
I am unsure if today's increase in southwest wind will be able to drift snow onto lee slopes. Therefore, be on the lookout for new wind drifting today. Any slope loaded by the wind will be more susceptible to an avalanche.
Additional Information
Despite the current benign weather, it has been an active week with several avalanches from the backcountry. Be sure to catch up with the Week in Review:
General Announcements
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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