Avalanche danger high in Utah mountains through holiday weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) warned Thursday that heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected to create very dangerous avalanche conditions across the state through the holiday weekend, as the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Wasatch Back region.

The storm warning, in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday through 11 a.m. Saturday, predicts heavy snow accumulations between 8 and 14 inches in the Park City area, with locally higher amounts up to 18 inches possible.

Avalanche forecasters expect the avalanche danger to rise to high on many slopes throughout Utah, with both natural and human-triggered avalanches very likely. The center strongly advises against travel in avalanche terrain during this period.

The warning comes during a season that has already seen four avalanche fatalities in Utah.

“The UAC has already investigated four avalanche fatalities this season, and we do not want anyone else to die in an avalanche,” the UAC said in a statement. “To avoid being caught and/or killed in an avalanche, stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees.”

The center emphasizes that anyone entering the backcountry must carry proper avalanche rescue equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel, and know how to use them. They also warn that skiers and snowboarders leaving resort boundaries should recognize they are entering backcountry terrain where avalanches may occur.

Additional safety guidelines include avoiding travel near or under steep slopes and never entering the backcountry alone.

For the latest avalanche conditions, check the UAC forecast at their website before heading out.

For realtime conditions in Park City, visit TownLift’s webcams page.