Salt Lake avalanche danger remains high; backcountry travel discouraged by UAC

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Avalanche Center’s danger forecast remained high on upper elevations Sunday afternoon. Backcountry skiers were advised to avoid avalanche terrain. 

“The snowpack does not like rapid change,” said UAC. “Stick to lower angle slopes less than 30 degrees in steepness.” 

According to UAC, collapsing, cracking, and whumpfing were reported by some backcountry users on Saturday. Each of those qualities is a warning sign for avalanches.

The danger was forecast to be highest on west, north, east, and southeast-facing terrain above 9,500 feet. However, avalanches are still possible in other areas. 

At lower elevations, danger sat between moderate and considerable, depending on the area. 

Backcountry recreators have been advised to avoid slopes with angles steeper than 30 degrees. According to REI, slides are unlikely on slopes less than 30 degrees steep. 

Why is Salt Lake avalanche danger high today?

According to UAC, forecasters identified two main avalanche problems on Sunday. 

First, recent snowfall and strong winds have continued to put stress on a persistent weak layer within the snow. 

Persistent weak layers occur when a layer of snow does not bond strongly. Colorado Avalanche Information Center explained that these layers can cause avalanches for days, weeks, or months after they have formed. 

Second, forecasters said that wind-drifted snow is an issue. 

“Stiff wind drifts that formed during high winds yesterday and overnight are now covered over by new snow and will be hard to see,” wrote UAC forecasters. 

Wind drifts are a sign of unstable snow. According to Avalanche.org, they add stress onto existing snowpack. 

More information on the problems identified in Sunday’s avalanche forecast can be found on UAC’s website. 

Danger scale

UAC uses the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale, which helps forecasters provide advice to those preparing for backcountry travel. When forecasting, they consider the likelihood and size of avalanches, as well as potential distribution. 

The avalanche danger scale consists of five ratings, ranging from low to extreme. 

According to UAC, most avalanche accidents happen when danger is rated as “considerable.” 

“There is also more uncertainty associated with Considerable danger and the difference between dangerous and not-so-dangerous terrain is much harder to identify,” wrote UAC on their website.

Related: New snow creates serious avalanche danger in the Wasatch