ST. GEORGE — Recreationists headed into the Southern Utah backcountry are being asked to take special precautions as the threat of avalanches grows.
The Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center in Salt Lake City issued a backcountry avalanche watch Thursday morning in effect until 6 a.m. Friday. An avalanche warning is now in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday, and the warning is likely to be extended through Sunday. The danger of avalanches is expected to increase on Friday and Saturday as a winter storm is forecasted to add snow to an existing weak snowpack.
The mountains of southwestern Utah, including terrain around Brian Head Ski Resort and surrounding areas, were included in the watch from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday.
The avalanche danger is increasing, according to the warning issued Friday morning. New snow landing on extremely weak existing snow is causing unstable conditions in the mountains of Southwestern Utah, especially in the mountains near Cedar City as well as the Tushars.
The warning further states that a very unstable preexisting snowpack is getting overloaded by the weight of new snow. This will make human-triggered avalanches very likely Friday and Saturday. People should avoid being on or below steep slopes in the mountains.
Precautionary/ preparedness actions
Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Backcountry travelers should consult www.utahavalanchecenter.org or call 1-888-999-4019 for more detailed information.
This watch does not apply to ski areas where avalanche hazard reduction measures are performed.
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