Considerable avalanche danger rating in majority of Utah, backcountry closures remain in LCC

SR 210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed for avalanche mitigation on Monday. Photo: Courtesy of UDOT.

UTAH — Wave after wave of snow combined with strong winds has continued to create significant risk for human-caused avalanches.

Many areas have received over a foot of snow overnight, making snow totals likely between 40 and 60 inches since the middle of last week. Aside from Moab receiving a moderate danger rating, Logan, Uintas, Salt Lake, Provo, and Skyline areas are listed as considerable. Ogden is the only area rated as high danger.

Much of Utah has seen strong winds and heavy snowfall, creating unstable layers of snowpack. Numerous avalanches occurred over the weekend, with the majority either in the Salt Lake area or around Logan. Areas of wind-drifted snow are of particular concern at multiple elevations.

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Monday March 27, 2023
CONSIDERABLE to HIGH avalanche danger across much of the state. Caution is required if traveling in or under avalanche terrain. pic.twitter.com/sKkMhr2JmQ
— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) March 27, 2023

North, east, and south-facing slopes are likely areas for potential human-triggered avalanches, according to the Salt Lake Area Mountains forecast. The forecast also cited that dangerous terrain won’t always be obvious when assessing its risk potential.

Multiple roadways in the Cottonwoods have have been closed in recent days in order for UDOT to perform avalanche mitigation work. Little Cottonwood Canyon(LCC) was closed on Monday Morning from 8 to 11 a.m. There are presently backcountry closures in the LCC, with openings estimated for 5 p.m.

🚧 #RoadClosureUpdate 🚧 @UDOTavy avalanche mitigation complete & #SR210 is OPEN to all travel.
Delays possible due to hazardous/snow covered road conditions, be prepared 🚨❄️@UDOTTRAFFIC @UDOTRegionTwo @UtahDOT @AltaCentral @AltaAlerts @SnowbirdAlerts @RideUTA pic.twitter.com/7nTlHAAg6X
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) March 27, 2023