Avalanche — Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

2023-04-06 to 2023-04-11 · Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

Event narrative

Rapid warming produced a natural avalanche across the opened portion of State Route 210 (Little Cottonwood Canyon Road) on the 6th. The avalanche flowed into Snowbird, crossing the Chickadee trail and lift.

The town of Alta and Snowbird Village returned to interlodge until the 7th. State Route 210 was closed with limited openings for uphill during the morning and evening on the 8th and 9th due to concerns with midday warming and natural avalanche cycles.

State Route 190 (Big Cottonwood Canyon Road) was closed with limited openings during the morning and from late afternoon through the evening from the 8th through the 10th due to concerns with midday warming and natural avalanche cycles.

A large wet avalanche ran across UT-210 at 1215 PM Monday 4/10 at White Pine Chutes, fully blocking the road.

Wider weather episode

A warm stretch with record snowpack was associated with several avalanches and debris flows.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1095882. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.