High risk of deadly avalanches threatens region

No Name Bowl reported on Jan 12 at 9,700'. 3' deep and 1,500' wide. Photo: Utah Avalanche Center

PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah Avalanche Center reports that DEADLY AND DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST ACROSS ALL ASPECTS AND ELEVATIONS today. Avalanche danger is HIGH on all aspects with the likelihood of increasing to EXTREME by this afternoon. A new storm is expected to bring warmer temperatures, strong winds, and heavy wet snowfall this afternoon. An avalanche warning is in effect from Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 at 6 a.m.

The UAC reports avalanches failing on a widespread persistent weak layer buried under the new snow. According to the forecast, a majority of avalanches reported during this storm were 2-4 feet deep and hundreds of feet wide. For the latest avalanche conditions check the Utah Avalanche Center website.

16″ of snow and high winds were reported by Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort this morning. Park City Snow Report

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Jan. 12 avalanche in No Name Bowl

The UAC has reported a large, destructive, 3 foot deep slab avalanche in No Name Bowl off the Park City ridge line. The avalanche propagated 1500′ wide and traveled 900′. On Friday, Jan. 12 a forecaster described the backcountry conditions as “hair trigger” after kicking off the avalanche in No Name Bowl, further saying the video alone should show people “just how dangerous the backcountry right now is. It is absolutely no joke out here.”

“Avalanche danger is about as wild as I’ve seen it in my tenure. This stuff is no joke. You cannot get into avalanche terrain right now, These are the types of avalanches that catch carry and kill people. I can’t be more clear: avoid Avalanche terrain for the weekend. That means we’re not riding anything approaching even close to 30 degrees, not getting on or underneath steep slopes or adjacent to slopes. Avalanches can be triggered from the flats and come down on top of you, it’s just as dangerous as I’ve [ever] seen it, so please be safe… avoid all Avalanche terrain,” said the UAC forecaster in the video.