Utah Avalanche Center warns of 6-foot-deep, 1,800-foot-wide slides in backcountry

Photo: UAC_Logo

Experts urge avoiding slopes greater than 30 degrees as weak early-season snowpack, high winds, and rapid warming have made the backcountry especially treacherous.

PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah Avalanche Center has issued a stark warning for backcountry travelers as conditions deteriorate following a recent storm. Avalanches in upper elevations and mid-elevation north-facing terrain could be devastating, with slides measuring up to 6 feet deep and 1,800 feet wide possible. Both natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. An avalanche warning remains in effect through 6:00 a.m. Monday.

Current Conditions:

• Danger Levels:
  • High: Upper elevations and mid-elevation north-facing terrain.
  • Considerable: Mid-elevation west and south-facing slopes.
  • Moderate: Low elevations, with wet loose avalanche potential.

Weather: Trailhead temperatures hover in the low 30s, with high ridges in the mid-20s. Winds from the southwest are gusting to 50 – 70 mph and could hit 90 mph on exposed ridges. In the past 24 hours, 4–10 inches of snow fell, bringing storm totals to 15–34 inches on top of a persistent weak layer.

Full UAC Report

Experts urge avoiding slopes greater than 30 degrees as weak early-season snowpack, high winds, and rapid warming have made the backcountry especially treacherous. Wet loose avalanches could occur at lower elevations as temperatures climb into the high 30s this afternoon, with potential rain below 8,000 feet.

Recent Avalanche Activity:

 

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Twelve avalanches were reported yesterday in the Salt Lake region, some with crown faces up to 8 feet deep and runs as long as 1,400 feet. Ski areas have also observed numerous slides triggered within their boundaries.

Current avalanche observations available here.