Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Salt Lake Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Thursday - February 18, 2016 - 6:30am
bottom line

The overall avalanche danger is MODERATE today. Loose, wet snow avalanches are possible at low elevations. At mid and high elevations, fresh wind slabs will create heightened avalanche conditions on wind loaded slopes. The avalanche danger and the size of these wind slabs should increase this afternoon.
special announcement

Companion Rescue Fundamentals Course at Brighton, Friday, February 19th. Click for more info. HERE

With the freedom of the backcountry comes responsibility. This social responsibility in avalanche terrain is paramount as backcountry use explodes. In this video, we'll outline three key factors that are imperative to protect ourselves as well as the access we have to backcountry terrain. Utah Avalanche Center Teton Gravity Research #KnowBeforeYouGo

Posted by Know Before You Go on Tuesday, February 16, 2016
current conditions

Conditions will be changing rapidly today with very strong winds, new snow, and some rain at low elevations. Yesterday riding conditions were not too good with a variety of crusts on the snow surface. The rain/snow line this morning is hovering between 7500 and 8000 feet with 1-2 inches of dense, new snow above this elevation. Southerly winds have been blowing 20-40 mph gusting 60-70 mph.
recent activity

There was no significant avalanche activity reported during the last two days.
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

With some new snow and very strong, southerly winds, watch for small, fresh wind slabs this morning. More snow and more strong winds will arrive around noon, and the avalanche danger and the size of fresh wind slabs should increase this afternoon.
Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

With some rain at low elevations, loose wet avalanches are possible. The danger of this problem should drop later today when a cold front and cooler temperatures are expected to arrive.
weather

There will be a break in precipitation this morning, and a cold front in Nevada should reach Utah around noon. It will bring Intense snowfall and strong winds from the SW. Some lightning was occurring along the cold front this morning, and lightning is possible when it reaches the Wasatch mountains. Temperatures will drop this afternoon and be in the mid to low 20's F by late afternoon. Another 3-6 inches of snow should fall by this evening.
general announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory 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 launch 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

Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123).

Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)

EMAIL ADVISORY  If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you will need to subscribe here.​ 

DAWN PATROL Hotline updated daily by 5-530am - 888-999-4019 option 8.

Twitter Updates for your mobile phone - DETAILS

UDOT canyon closures:  LINK TO UDOT, or on Twitter, follow @UDOTavy, @CanyonAlerts or @AltaCentral

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.

Powderbird Helicopter Skiing - Blog/itinerary for the day  

Lost or Found something in the backcountry? - http://nolofo.com/

Ski Utah mobile snow updates

To those skinning uphill at resorts:  it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel.  You can see the uphill travel policy for each resort here. IMPORTANT: Before skinning or hiking at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol.  Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI:  Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC.  Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell.  You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.