Relating to weather, snow science and outdoor endeavors generally during Winter and within the state of Utah. (Added a focus on fire and fire related weather in the western United States. Aug. 22, 2020)
The machine-learning model takes less than a minute to predict future weather worldwide more precisely than other approaches.
DeepMind AI accurately forecasts weather — on a desktop computer Read More
During the last week of March and first week of April, Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons saw an epic snow cycle the likes of which have never been seen before. Little Cottonwood Canyon (“LCC”) closed due to avalanche danger on Sunday April 2, 2023. The canyon generally did not open again until Saturday April 8. (There were two brief periods when the canyon was open to the public to downhill travel only, so that people who needed/wanted could leave. Otherwise, the general public was prohibited from going up or down the canyon during the period April 1-8.
Avalanches in Big & Little Cottonwood Canyon Early April 2023 Read More
The Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map is a full-color paper map that compliments the website, Android app, and iOS app. The map includes the names of almost 1,000 backcountry locations in the Central Wasatch.
Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map, 4th Ed. Read More
The United States was hit by historically cold and windy Winter weather with a rare mid-latitude mid-continent cyclone, one that would undergo a process of rapid intensification called Bombogenesis, or Bomb Cyclogenesis. The event was termed “Winter Storm Elliott.” This …
Winter Storm Elliott – December, 2022 Read More
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon roads carve between steep mountains that are prone to avalanches in the winter. In fact, 57% of the 9-mile Little Cottonwood Canyon Road is in an avalanche runout zone. Still, recreationalists, residents, and canyon employees need to transport themselves up and down these canyons regularly and as safely as possible.
A History of Avalanche Mitigation in the Cottonwood Canyons Read More
“Originally, we looked at social media very much as another way of disseminating the forecast,” said Ethan Greene, director of the CAIC. “We still do that, but have been using it more to engage people and try to get out information about current conditions as well as broader education out to people. It’s been a good way for people to ask questions, and we’ve done our best to address those questions.”
#Avalanche: In a world obsessed with social media, avalanche centers are relying more and more on the attention-grabbing platforms to better equip backcountry skiers Read More
This historical memoir gives the reader a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes view of the founding of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and discloses how the ski patrol worked on the avalanche-ridden mountain.
Avalanche Busters: A Historical Memoir of the Snowbird and Alta Ski Patrols Read More
Cement Fill Avalanche on Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado on March 10, 2019. Stop-motion images from Silverton Avalanche School video on Facebook.
Colorado Avalanches – Cement Fill Avalanche on Highway 550 Read More
Use the nine “Avalanche Problems” to understand avalanche types. Learn to approach the mountain with an eye toward current avalanche conditions and avalanche problems to assist in making wise terrain choices.
Avalanche Problems Toolbox Read More
The Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map is a three-dimensional map that, along with the companion Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Guide, provides a wealth of backcountry information. Cottonwood Canyons Weather Dashboard provides all you need to know weather-wise for the Cottonwood Canyons.
Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Guide & Map (2019) Read More
Published by the Utah Avalanche Center. The best way to learn about avalanches and how to avoid them is to take an avalanche class from a qualified instructor. You can get a good introduction to understanding avalanches by studying avalanche articles, books, and videos. It’s also important to keep your skills current.
These resources provide a great way to brush up on skills and keep up with the latest technology, theory, and professional practice.
Utah Avalanche Center – Tutorials Read More
Little Cottonwood Canyon is a unique environment. Weather is often intense during the Winter and avalanches are of course a major concern. This page provides a variety of information sources so that you can be well informed of current conditions in the canyon. Included are resources from Alta & Snowbird, National Weather Service, Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Dept. of Transportation & Unified Police Greater Salt Lake.
Little Cottonwood Canyon Weather & Avalanche Information Read More
Damn, it got butt cold in Utah last night… – Peter Sinks -44.5°F @ 2:30 a.m. Oct. 30, 2019 (Near Logan, UT) ❄️ – Mt. Baldy, Alta, UT -11°F @ 11:00 p.m. Oct. 29, 2019 – Osguthorpe Barn, Park City, …
Record Cold In Utah, Oct. 30, 2019 Read More
Articles published by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Video by Utah Dept. of Transportation & KSL-TV
Violent storms in the Salt Lake and Utah Counties area resulted in flooding and mud & rock slides in several canyons and nearby run-off zones. Here are a few articles from The Salt Lake Tribune chronicling the aftermath.
Summer Avalanches in Little Cottonwood Canyon Read More
Article by WWD Webmaster
July 11, 2019
Graupel is supercooled water droplets coming into contact with falling snow, heavily rimed new snow. Hail is solid balls or lumps of ice. Sleet is smaller ice pellets, in between snow and freezing rain.
Snow, Graupel, Hail, Sleet & Freezing Rain Read More
Records? I think so. Granted I’m comparing Mid-Gad snow study plot to the Alta Guard station study plot, so it’s not exact. But, if you look at season totals at Alta Guard you will see that there are only 2 seasons where we’ve had 700″ or more at Alta Guard. In my book 711 inches at Mid-Gad is fairly rare. Record-worthy to be sure. (Ya, but then there was the 2022-23 season which blew the doors off of 2018-19!)
2018-19 Snow Season at Mid-Gad Read More
Glide avalanche
Avalanche Encyclopedia, Avalanche.org
“Glide occurs when the entire snowpack slowly slides as a unit on the ground. Glide avalanches can be composed of wet, moist, or almost entirely dry snow and pose a hazard that is very difficult to forecast.”
Glide Avalanches Read More
Published by Alaska Mountain Safety Center, March 24, 2017
By Jill Fredston & Doug Fesler
“A new edition of a best-selling classic. Snow Sense is North America’s leading primer on how to avoid getting caught in an avalanche. Written by the experts, Snow Sense focuses on the critical terrain, snowpack, weather, and human factors that allow avalanche accidents to happen. A must-have for anyone who works or plays in avalanche country.”
Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard Read More
Published by Globe Pequot Press / Falcon Guides, December, 2012
By Mike Clelland and Allen O’Bannon
“With more and more people heading into the winter backcountry on skis, snowshoes, and snowmobiles, avalanche safety is of paramount importance. Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Avalanche Safety Book distills the sometimes overly technical information of snow science into a user-friendly format with helpful illustrations and easy-to-understand text.”
Allen & Mike’s Avalanche Book Read More
The Salt Lake Tribune, March 30, 2019
By Brian Maffly
“On powder days, Rafferty and nearly every other Alta and Snowbird skier not staying on the mountain, spent more time in cars than on the skis….’While the ski areas have adjusted to accommodate growth on their mountains,’ Maughan said, ‘the road and parking capacities are the same as they were 15 years ago.’”
Traffic in Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons Getting Worse Read More