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Dina Freedman ReportingYesterday one Utah man was lucky to survive an avalanche in Silver Fork Canyon. KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman tells why that avalanche potential is so high right now.
Since October the highest elevations along the Wasatch front have received around four to five feet of snow, but the bigger problem was the snow that fell in September. Our peaks in Northern Utah have been seeing lots of snow and that doesn't make it any easier for people who want to ski in the backcountry.
Evelyn Lees, Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center: "We've put a very dense layer of snow on top of weak, potato chip like snow. And in the case of yesterday, the added weight of some skiers triggered the slide."
Because we had snow early in the season in September that just sat up there and didn't melt, it has now created an unstable layer for the new snow that just arrived this week.
Evelyn Lees, Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center: "What we're dealing with right now this year is what we call a persistent weak layer, a persistent weak layer is that shivery weak facetted snow and that does not strengthen within a day or two, any slope that did not slide yesterday still has the potential to slide with the weight of a skier today."
Even knowing that the avalanche danger is considerable and having the right safety gear with you, doesn't mean you're in the clear, the risk is still there.
Evelyn Lees, Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center: "The bonds between the crystals break, and as they start, and first it's a couple of bonds, then it spreads and numerous bonds break, and then the slab. And then the weak snow layer can no longer support the slab of snow sitting on top of it and it starts to slide downhill if you're on a steep slope."
Yesterday not only did we have 10 to 15 inches of dense snow, but we had strong winds. Those winds can move the snow from one area to another and add more weight to it, making it even more prone to collapse.
The avalanche danger is not expected to change in the next 24 hours and remains at considerable. To lower that danger we just need more storms.
Evelyn Lees, Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center: "What we'd like to see is a steady stream of storms like a couple of storms a week, because then we build up a deep snow pack and we don't have time for the weak layers to develop. If it stops snowing now for a couple of weeks, we're going to develop even more weak layers."
Avalanche forecasts are issued every day and you can get them online or by using the phone.
The new number for the Utah Avalanche Center is 1-888-999-4019.
