Avalanche — Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

2021-02-06 · Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

Event narrative

The Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center reported that two groups, totaling eight people, were backcountry skiing at Wilson Glade in Millcreek Canyon, when an avalanche was triggered. The avalanche caught and buried six of the people, leading to four fatalities, while two survived, one with injuries. The avalanche occurred in terrain that was rated for High avalanche danger that day. The weather the day of the avalanche was sunny and fair. However, two storm systems the week prior to the avalanche brought roughly 20 inches of snow and winds 15-30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph.

Wider weather episode

A backcountry avalanche at Wilson Glade in Millcreek Canyon, just outside of Salt Lake City, caught and fully buried six people, killing four within the group.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 940166. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.