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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Saturday morning, November 21, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW and avalanches are unlikely.
The biggest concerns are slide-for-life conditions on the slick crusts and getting injured in the shallow snowpack by hitting rocks or other obstacles.
Tread lightly.
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Special Announcements
Please do everything possible to avoid getting hurt for yourself and the greater good. As you decide where and how to travel in the backcountry, consider adding just a little extra margin of safety.
Announcement: Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
If you missed the 13th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop, the recordings are available for purchase from the UAC Store.
Weather and Snow
Skies are clear. Ain't it a shame.
Winds are westerly and generally less than 15mph.
Mountain temperatures are in the mid-20s.
For today, we'll have sunny skies, light westerly winds and mountain temps reaching into the low 40s.
Snow coverage is best described as "early season". 1-2' of snow sits on the ground at the mid and upper elevations, but it's beat up and hammered by wind, sun, and thermal crusts. Even the north facing slopes developed a thin crust from the scorching temperatures earlier this week. The south facing slopes should soften somewhat today with direct sun and warming temperatures.
For Sunday, we'll see warmer temperatures, increasing clouds and southwest winds ahead of a weak cold front for Monday. We may see 2-4" if we're lucky.
Another weak storm arrives on Thanksgiving.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported from the backcountry yesterday.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Location
Likelihood
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Description
The snow is generally stable and the danger is LOW. Pro observer Mark White summited Mount Superior on Thursday and reported the biggest hazard being slide-for-life conditions on nearly all aspects.
Slide for life conditions are conditions where one falls in steep terrain and unable to arrest on the slick crust below. Axes, whippets, crampons, etc can be helpful in these conditions. (Sorta gives a hint to the riding conditions, eh?)
Additional Information
Forecaster's Corner:
We started the season with such hope and promise with the storms during the second week of November. Currently, the snow on the ground is both strong and stable with only some weak (faceted) snow developing at and near the snow surface in some areas. The few inches that fell mid-week predominantly in Ogden and Logan are now sitting and weakening on the early week thermal crusts. This layering in general is a good sliding surface for avalanches will be something to keep an eye on in the coming days.
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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