Avalanche Danger To Rise With Incoming Winter Storm, Forecasters Say
Dec 31, 2019, 5:59 PM | Updated: 9:08 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Avalanche danger around the Wasatch Front was considered low to end 2019 but forecasters with the Utah Avalanche Center said a winter storm on New Year’s Day is expected to raise backcountry avalanche danger levels across Utah.
“What’s going to happen is it’s going to be a little bit heavier snow with a lot of wind,” said UAC forecaster Trent Meisenheimer. “That’s going to put stronger snow on top of lighter snow and we’re definitely going to see avalanches as a result.”
Meisenheimer warned people will especially need to stay away from any slopes steeper than a 30% grade.
“You really don’t want to be on that slope or adjacent to it,” Meisenheimer said. “With the avalanche dangers on the rise, we’re going to need to dial it back a little bit. We need to give the snow time to adjust.”
Meisenheimer said sticking to the ski resorts would be a good way to stay safe over the next couple of days. As usual, he said people going into the backcountry should bring a shovel, beacon and a probe.