Area avalanche danger is rising

Photo: Utah Avalanche Center.

The center recorded one avalanche on Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Salt Lake region

With fresh, storm- brought snow and wind, avalanche danger is on the rise, the Utah Avalanche Center reports.

The center recorded one avalanche on Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Salt Lake region, at Rocky Point, a soft slab at 10,400 feet with a depth of 18 inches and a width of 200 feet. It was a New Snow/Old Snow Interface, observed by skiers.

“High-elevation shady aspects, holding old snow, pose the highest potential avalanche risk,” the center said. “New snow may not bond well with old slick crusts or weak sugary faceted snow and may be sensitive, especially in steep wind-drifted terrain. Be sure to have a partner and carry the necessary rescue gear of a transceiver, probe, and shovel.”

While burial risk is generally low, the center says, “the danger lies in being carried over and through consequential terrain, causing potential injury.”