We are sad to report that a 60-yr-old skier was killed by a large avalanche yesterday in backcountry near Pebble Creek ski resort outside of Pocatello, Idaho. This is not in our forecast zone, but we will assist in the investigation.
We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.
Uphill Travel at Ski Areas - Some resorts will be offering limited uphill access but not all do. Current info about uphill access from Ski Utah is posted
HERE.
Skies are partly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 20s up high, the low 40s down low. This is the second night of a marginal-at-best refreeze at the mid and low elevations.
The relentless winds. Overnight southerly winds blew 45-50mph with gusts to 70, but they've lost a touch of steam in the last hour or two. Current wind speeds are 20-25mph.
Snow surface conditions are a mixed bag of crusts and spring-like conditions.
A storm churning just off the California coast has us under a warm southerly flow where we'll see increasing clouds by midday. Temps will rise into the upper 30s along the ridgelines and the mid-40s down low. Winds will be southerly, blowing 15-20mph.
Cooler weather and periods of precipitation arrive mid-week as the storm moves overhead.
Shallow and stubborn pockets of wind slab were found by ski area avalanche teams yesterday. Some drifts were noted well off the ridgelines at the mid and upper elevations.
