We had a good snowstorm in the valleys this week and the mountains saw a few inches of snow as well. Castle Country Radio was able to speak over the telephone with the Utah Avalanche Center’s Brett Kobernik about the latest conditions.

There has been a weak layer from storms in November that were causing problems in the backcountry but with the latest storm it may not have caused any additional problems. “This storm wasn’t a huge, huge, storm so I don’t think that it really overloaded that very weak layer just yet. The thing is with those very weak layers, they just can’t be trusted until they’re absolutely stable. They often will produce avalanches long after we think they won’t and so anytime we have one of those buried, sugary, weak, layers you got to use caution, basically guilty until proven innocent. So we’re kind of in a holding pattern right now and waiting for this weekend’s storm,” said Kobernik. That old weak layer appears to be gaining strength and with each storm it compresses the weak layer into snow pack which is good. So short-term potentially dangerous conditions and long-term officials see more stable conditions.

If you decided to recreate in the backcountry always know the conditions you will be facing. “First off is to know what kind of conditions. Folks can check the daily avalanche forecast that is updated by 7:00 am each morning. You can find that at https://utahavalanchecenter.org/ and check out the Skyline Region there. That’ll give you some information on what to expect during the day. As you said, if you’re getting in to avalanche terrain make sure you carry all the proper avalanche gear, which includes avalanche beacon, an avalanche probe and a shovel. Everyone in your party should have that basic equipment and there’s more information about all that stuff on our website,” explained Kobernik. This doesn’t mean that you are not able to go up to the backcountry to enjoy the outdoors, it just means that you need to take some safety precautions.

“Basic information I think that folks should know is this weekend continue to avoid steep slopes, slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees, especially in the upper elevations where we see the most snow, that’s the most likely spot you’re going to trigger an avalanche right now. Things have stabilized greatly down lower so we’re not as concerned about folks that are recreating in the lower elevations. Its more in the mid to especially high elevations is where you’re most likely to trigger an avalanche this weekend,” said Kobernik. Again, knowing your conditions before you head out is the most important way to keep yourself safe in the backcountry.