- Heavy snowfall on Wednesday is leading to high avalanche danger in Utah's backcountry.
- Avalanche warnings are in effect statewide with risks of human-triggered avalanches.
- Ski resorts closed early; Utah Department of Transportation will conduct avalanche mitigation in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
SALT LAKE CITY — Avalanche forecasters and law enforcement are encouraging those heading into the backcountry to be extra careful as an avalanche warning has been issued, and the risk of danger will be high throughout the week.
Craig Gordon, a forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Center, said it is seeing cracks appear and hearing collapsing sounds. He said this is Mother Nature's biggest sign that the snow is unstable.
"Statewide, we have high avalanche danger, many areas, an avalanche warning in effect, which means that both human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely," Gordon said. "Any avalanche that's triggered right now is going to break deep. It's going to break wide. It could potentially be unsurvivable."
There is considerable risk in the backcountry.
"We've gone just over six weeks without a substantial amount of snow, but the snow that did fall at the turn of the year has grown weak and sugary on the snow surface, and now we are just overloading it with a massive amount of snow, water and very strong winds," Gordon said.
Wednesday isn't the only day forecasters are concerned about. Gordon said the danger remains elevated throughout this week.
"We want everyone to know that this is the real deal," he said. "Avalanche conditions have dramatically changed overnight into today, and there's a series of storms headed our way. So this isn't just a one-and-done."
The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office issued a statement Wednesday with recommendations for those heading into the backcountry:
- Do not travel alone.
- Share your route and return time with someone you trust. This information is critical if search and rescue need to begin a response.
- Carry avalanche safety gear, including a beacon, shovel and probe.
- Bring extra warm clothing, food, water, medical supplies, fire-starting materials and reliable communication devices.
- Ensure you have the training and knowledge necessary to recognize avalanche terrain and make informed decisions.
The Utah Avalanche Center advised those in the backcountry to stay off of or out from under steep slopes. It said to avoid terrain that's steeper than 30 degrees.
The warning comes after eight backcountry skiers died in an avalanche in Nevada County, California.
"These are people that are in our broader snow community that love snow and backcountry skiing as much as we do," Gordon said. "And I know that our hearts break for everybody involved. "
Several ski resorts including Brighton, Alta and Snowbird closed lifts early Wednesday, citing public safety concerns after the heavy snowfall.
UDOT reported there will be avalanche mitigation work in Little Cottonwood Canyon overnight. The road will close at 12:30 a.m. Thursday and is expected to reopen at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
