Pocatello, ID – Backcountry travel in the Bear River Range could turn deadly within minutes as unstable snowpack and wind-loaded slopes push avalanche danger to HIGH through early Thursday.
According to the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center in Salt Lake City, an Avalanche Warning remains in effect for the Bear River Range and other northern Utah mountain ranges until 6 a.m. MST Thursday. Recent heavy snowfall combined with strong winds has overloaded weak layers in the snowpack, creating widespread unstable conditions.
Both human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely. Slides could break wider and run farther than expected, especially on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Backcountry areas near the Idaho-Utah border, including terrain accessed from Franklin County and near Preston, face heightened risk in wind-drifted zones and avalanche runouts.
Forecasters urge people to avoid all avalanche terrain and stay clear of steep slopes and the areas beneath them. Even experienced riders and skiers can trigger large avalanches under these conditions. If you head into the mountains, check the latest advisories at utahavalanchecenter.org or avalanche.org before leaving and carry proper rescue gear.
The warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday, and dangerous conditions may persist beyond that time if additional snow or wind develops.
