Forecast: Salt Lake Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Issued by Bo Torrey on
Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026

The avalanche danger is LOW, and conditions are generally safe. Increasing wind speeds mid-day may create small, sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow on upper-elevation north and east-facing slopes.

Cold temperatures have turned old snow into firm, unforgiving crusts. A slip in steep terrain right now could have severe consequences. Evaluate your route carefully and anticipate potential areas where you may encounter firm, consequential slopes. Carry and know how to use crampons and an ice axe to travel safely and arrest a fall.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Special Announcements

Human Factor Research: Researchers Ian McCammon and Sara Boilen are developing new tools for managing human factors for backcountry skiers and boarders. This survey asks about personal experiences with human factors and will take 7-8 minutes to complete. Link is HERE.

Weather and Snow

Yesterday, the skies were partly cloudy with daytime highs in the low 40s °F. Winds blew from the WNW at 10–20 mph with gusts into the 30s. Cold temperatures continue to preserve dry snow on upper-elevation, north-facing slopes.

Today, we'll see partly cloudy skies with increasing wind speeds and cloud cover as a storm approaches. Winds will blow from the SW at 20–30 mph with gusts into the 40s or more along the upper-elevation ridges. Daytime temperatures will warm into the 40s °F.

A sharp cold front moves in on Thursday, bringing with it very cold temperatures and the potential for 4–10 inches of snow by Friday morning.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches were reported in the backcountry. You can view all recent observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Normal caution is used when avalanche conditions are generally safe. Today, there is no primary avalanche problem, and any avalanche triggered would be small.

On upper-elevation slopes, you may find isolated slabs of wind-drifted snow. You can identify potential areas of drifted snow by observing patterns in snow depths, textures on the snow surfaces, and changes in the hardness of surface snow.
As daytime temperatures warm, wet-loose avalanches may occur on steep sunny slopes. If you're finding wet, heavy snow on the surface, find small, steep test-slopes to gauge its behavior.
A slip and fall in steep terrain right now could have severe consequences. Carry and know how to use crampons and an ice axe to safely travel and arrest a fall.

Additional Information

We have published February 2026: Four Avalanche Fatalities in Five Days: a community review with most of the UAC Salt Lake office. This 38-minute video is worth sitting down and digesting. A huge thanks to UAC Education Manager & Forecaster McKinley Talty for his hard work putting this together behind the scenes.

General Announcements

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures