Avalanche — Western Uinta Mountains, Utah

2007-12-31 · Western Uinta Mountains, Utah

Event narrative

Three experienced snowmobilers were riding in Smith Basin, about 15 miles east-northeast of the Co-op trailhead, when an avalanche engulfed all three of them. Two of them were able to swim out of the snow, but the third, a 41 year-old male, was buried for at least 40 minutes, and died before they could dig him out. For the state of Utah, this was the third avalanche fatality in 8 days. It was also the 7th avalanche fatality for the 2007 calendar year, the most in one year since records have been kept, starting in 1958.

Wider weather episode

Three snowboarders were caught in an avalanche, leading to one fatality.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 69700. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.