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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Thursday morning, December 5, 2019
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on most upper elevation slopes of the northern end of the compass, where a persistent weak layer exists and wind drifted snow can be found, this includes east aspects. The danger is also CONSIDERABLE on mid-elevation slopes facing northwest through northeast east. There is a MODERATE danger on all other mid-elevation slopes and a LOW avalanche danger on all slopes below 8000 feet.
Today, the sensitivity continues to decrease but dangerous avalanche conditions still exist. Last weekend a large avalanche cycle occurred, there are still chances of triggering a large, deadly avalanche today. Use careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
The first UAC podcast of the season " Early Season Essentials with Program Director Bo Torrey" check it out HERE.
The Supreme area of Alta ski area is now closed to the public as the ski patrol gets this terrain ready for the season.
Get one of these cool t-shirts to support the UAC and other avalanche centers across the U.S.
Weather and Snow
Yesterday was another warm day, hitting temperatures in the mid-30s to low 40s F. The morning temperatures are generally in the mid to upper 20s at trailheads and mid-20s at the ridgelines.
Winds remained westerly and southwesterly, averaging 15-20 mph with a few gusts between 30-40 mph from 9 pm last night in the early morning hours.
Precipitation from this quick-moving storm started overnight, bringing 2-5 inches of snow and 0.15 - .045 inches of water to the Central Wasatch.
Today a trough of low pressure will continue making its way through the central Wasatch, this could bring another 1-3 inches of snow (0.1- 0.3 inches of water). Expect calm westerly winds averaging 0-15 mph with gusts below 25 mph, and a bit cooler temperatures than yesterday, with averages in the low to mid-20s F.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, no new avalanche activity was reported in the backcountry. Monday, December 2nd a snowboarder triggered an avalanche on an NE aspect at 9600 in Hidden Canyon. This avalanche was 2 feet deep and 50 feet wide. Tuesday a fresh-looking avalanche was reported in Jaws on an N aspect at 9800 ft. This avalanche was 2.5 feet deep and 80 feet wide and broke in or on the early season facets.
Ski patrols triggered many large, scary avalanches on mid and upper elevation slopes last week. Yesterday they continued to trigger similar avalanches. A full list of avalanches since Wednesday can be found HERE.
Photo of Hidden Canyon Avalanche - See full report HERE.
Photo of Jaws Avalanche - Full Report HERE
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The sensitivity is decreasing, but upper elevation north-facing slopes are still suspect. It is a slow healing process, and the snowpack needs time. Avalanche activity earlier in the week demonstrates that dangerous avalanche conditions still exist on any slope that had snow before last week. We have a 2-3 foot slab sitting on top of a foot of weak facets at the ground. These lingering facets can be found above 9500’ on NW, N, NE, E aspects and on NW, N, NE, and E aspects between 8000 and 9500 feet.
The reported avalanche activity is becoming more sparse, but the threat still remains. Folks are still seeing consistent instability in their snowpits, cracking and collapsing. An avalanche triggered today would be 2-3 feet deep (or deeper on wind loaded slopes) and hundreds of feet wide.
The best option today is to avoid terrain steep enough to slide. Ride slopes less than 30 degrees, and avoid being under any steep slopes as you can still trigger slopes from below. View a simulation of how this happens HERE.
Photo (C. Mackenzie) below shows this simple layering of this avalanche problem - a soft slab of snow resting on 3mm depth hoar.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Southerly and southwesterly winds increased overnight into the early morning, drifting the new snow into steep, upper elevation terrain and bonding poorly to the old snow surface. These wind drifts will be especially suspect where they sit on top of a persistent weak layer of facets.
Look for signs of sensitive wind drifted snow, such as pillowy rounded snow, shooting cracks, hollow sound snow, and avoid those areas.
Additional Information
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.
Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
To get help in an emergency (to request a rescue) in the Wasatch, call 911. Be prepared to give your GPS coordinates or the run name. Dispatchers have a copy of the Wasatch Backcountry Ski map.
Backcountry Emergencies. It outlines your step-by-step method in the event of a winter backcountry incident.
If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, but no one is hurt and you do not need assistance, please notify the nearest ski area dispatch to avoid a needless response by rescue teams. Thanks.
  • Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort/PCMR Dispatch (435-615-1911)
  • Ogden - Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123)
  • Provo - Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)
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