March 9 avalanche danger rated considerable across state
Mar 9, 2025, 4:01 PM | Updated: 4:02 pm
A screenshot of Utah Avalanche Center's website shows avalanche danger ratings for March 9, 2025. Check the UAC website for the latest information.
SALT LAKE CITY — Following last week’s early-March snowstorms, the Utah Avalanche Center’s avalanche forecast rated Sunday avalanche danger as considerable in every region.
Considerable sits in the middle of the avalanche danger scale, advising careful decision making and signifying that triggering a slide is likely.
Furthermore, several natural and human-triggered avalanches have been reported over the past few days. The latest information can be found on UAC’s website.
Sunday’s avalanche danger
Salt Lake
In the Salt Lake region, UAC avalanche forecasters said persistent weak layers are the number one problem. Persistent weak layers can cause avalanches long after a storm has passed.
They have been an issue throughout the season. In the Sunday avalanche conditions forecast, UAC Forecaster Dave Kelly explained that persistent weak layers have been the cause of several avalanche fatalities this season.
Uintas
Similary, persistent weak layer was listed by UAC Forecaster Andrew Nassetta in Sunday’s Uintas forecast, where the Hoyt Peak avalanche occurred.
The preliminary report from the March 7 avalanche revealed it was caused by a persistent weak layer.
Search and rescue teams look for a man who was buried in a March 7 avalanche on Hoyt Peak. (Utah Avalanche Center)
“It feels like spring, but the snowpack has remained thin and sugary all year and continues to present challenges heading into the change of seasons,” wrote Nassetta in his report.
Nassetta urged backcountry users to be alert, especially during the warmest part of the day. He advised avoiding slopes with persistent weak layers.
The UAC website identified some warning signs of persistent weak layers:
- Scoured areas
- Exposed rock
- Wind pillows
The layers can cause problems days or weeks after they form and can lurk far below the surface. They have contributed to Utah avalanche danger all season.
Some avalanche training courses can help backcountry users develop tools to spot them. Avalanche awareness courses are recommended by avalanche professionals before heading into the backcountry.
Other regions
Persistent weak layer was also listed as the number one avalanche problem in the Provo, Skyline and Moab regions on Sunday.
In Logan and Ogden, the number one avalanche problem was listed as wet snow.
As temperatures warm, water begins to exist between grains of snow, increasing avalanche danger. Sometimes, the liquid can cause snow to become weaker and slide.
Although wet snow avalanches often move slower than their dry counterparts, Avalanche.org explained that they are still deadly and destructive.
UAC said they received reports of wet avalanches on slopes above Ogden on Saturday.
Additionally, they warned Ogden residents about snow sliding off roofs.
Avalanche conditions are ever-evolving. Check UAC’s website for daily danger ratings and avalanche updates.
