Utah Officials Ahead Of 50+ Inch Storm: "The Avalanche Danger Is Ramping Up"
Yesterday, the Utah Avalanche Center warned that the avalanche danger will become "high" over the next several days as a large storm cycle passes through Utah.
The Utah Avalanche Center cited the following combined risk factors: "Due to the new snow overloading weak, faceted (sugary) snow from December, avalanches may be triggered hundreds of feet away, creating particularly tricky and dangerous conditions."
The Nation Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the mountains around Salt Lake City, Utah, between today and Thursday night. "Total snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches, with locally up to 30 inches in the upper Cottonwood Canyons," the warning reads. "Winds gusting as high as 50 to 70 mph on high exposure ridges."
OpenSnow—a ski-focused forecasting team—in a post shared to Twitter yesterday, suggested that the snow totals could be even higher.
Northern Utah resorts look like they are going to get 30-60" of snow over the next week, but there's a chance a few places go even higher if the current forecasts hold. Full forecast on @OpenSnow pic.twitter.com/i3du0FlETh
— Utah Daily Snow (@WasatchSnow) January 8, 2024
An avalanche warning is also in effect from Tuesday to Friday.
Avalanches are most likely during or just after heavy snowfall. High winds are another factor that can create avalanche risk.
Utah Avalanche Center's avalanche forecast for the mountains around Salt Lake City is currently "considerable," meaning naturally triggered avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely. As noted by the Center's warning, this risk will likely increase in the coming days. The Center noted in its forecast that "Most accidents and fatalities occur with a CONSIDERABLE danger."
While heavy snowfall is unquestionably exciting, storm days and the days after storm days are uniquely dangerous in the backcountry. If you're a Salt Lake City area skier, you'd be better served (and much safer) by sticking to the resorts this week. The backcountry missions can wait.
Related: Parallel Lines: Pete McAfee
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