Avalanche danger has amped up in the Uinta Mountains. According to the Utah Avalanche Center, the January 2nd forecast for the Uinta Mountains states that “today, CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists and human triggered avalanches are LIKELY, but for two distinctly different avalanche dragons.” The first is more predictable. “Storm snow and fresh drifts will react to additional weight particularly on steep, mid and upper elevation, north facing, polar slopes.” The second is more unpredictable. It will be “avalanches breaking deeper and wider than you might expect, especially on polar slopes where dense hard snow rests on weak, early season facets. Steep, rocky slopes, particularly those in the windzone above treeline are primetime suspects.” And finally, the avalanche experts urge all to remember that right now on the Uintas, “storm snow is stacking up on a stout, Grinchy, Christmas Eve raincrust and once initiated, today’s avalanches will be packing heat.” Visit utahavalanchecenter.org/forecast/uintas for the full forecast.
