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Jed Boal ReportingAll of the recent heavy, wet snow in the mountains has rapidly increased avalanche danger in most ranges in the state. Danger in the backcountry may remain high for a few days. There's an avalanche warning in effect for Northern, Central and Southwestern Utah mountains. The Utah Avalanche Center had many reports of slide activity through the day.
Heavy snowfall and high winds drove avalanche danger to considerable throughout the northern mountains with areas of high danger. The storm rapidly loaded the snowpack with one to two feet of snow and the equivalent of two inches of water. That rapid loading, plus high winds, increased the avalanche danger quickly.
Evelyn Lees, Utah Avalanche Center: "We've had a lot of snow in March, but this storm deposited the most snow in a 24 hour period of any storm we've had this year."
The Utah Avalanche Center has had numerous reports today from ski areas of easily triggered avalanches, one to two feet deep, running very long distances, with large debris piles. The resorts manage the risk, but there is no safeguard in the backcountry for snowmobilers and skiers.
Avalanche danger will remain considerable to high and may not change for a few days.
Evelyn Lees, Utah Avalanche Center: "We're still expecting more snow today and another shot of snow tonight, another four to eight inches in the mountains. Tomorrow if we get a period of direct sunshine and rapid heating, avalanche danger will rise once again."
People heading into the backcountry on skis or snowmobiles will need good route finding skills and should stay on low-angled terrain away from steep avalanche paths. It's a good time to be conservative with decisions.
Last winter, seven people died in avalanches in Utah; that was a record. This year there have been two deaths and the Avalanche Center doesn't want to see any more in these dangerous spring conditions.
