New snow and heavy winds overnight adds to avalanche risk

Avalanche in Lambs Canyon on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of the Utah Avalanche Center.

UTAH — Waves of new snow have pushed the northern Utah mountains into the high-danger category for avalanche potential.

From Logan to Provo and the Uintas to the east, all are currently rated high danger at the upper elevations. At the same time, the Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo area mountains move into the considerable category at lower elevations. Overnight strong winds could have contributed to the already higher-risk areas. Wind speeds reached between 45 and 70 MPH at 11,000 feet along the ridgelines.

Much of the risk centers around the addition of new snow landing on wind-drifted slopes. While this might be more likely to happen in exposed areas and higher elevations, this season has seen plenty of easily accessed low-elevation avalanches occur. Just because it’s a lower elevation doesn’t mean it’s safe; find the avalanche report in your area before heading out.