Cottonwood Canyons
Weather DashboardTM
Updated March 24 @ 4:10 pm
Summary
Cottonwood Canyons
March 24 @ 4:10 pm
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Current Conditions
At 3:00 pm, the temperature near the top of Solitude's Powderhorn chairlift was 6 degrees. Winds at the top of Alta's Collins chairlift are averaging 18 mph out of the west-northwest with gusts to 22. In the last 36 hours, the snow depth midway up Solitude's Summit chairlift has increased 12 inches. In the last 4 weeks, the depth has increased 54 inches.
Forecast Conditions
The forecast says that from 5:00 pm today until 5:00 am tomorrow, there is a 75 percent chance of 6 to 10 inches of snow and a 25 percent chance of 3.5 to 6 inches. The nighttime low temperature will be 6 degrees. And tomorrow, from 5:00 am until 5:00 pm, there is a 75 percent chance of 2 to 4.5 inches of snow and a 25 percent chance of 4.5 to 6 inches. The daytime high temperature will be 12 degrees.
Total snowfall of 20 to 30 inches is forecast for the current storm which began at approximately 6 pm yesterday and is forecast to end at 12 am on Sunday. Total water in this storm is expected to be 1.5 to 2.25 inches.
Avalanche Forecast
The Utah Avalanche Center's avalanche forecast for the Salt Lake area on Friday, March 24, says, "The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on mid and upper elevation slopes where natural new snow slab, wind-drifted avalanches, and loose dry sluffs are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely. Periods of increased snowfall throughout the day have the potential to increase the avalanche hazard to HIGH if forecasted snowfall amounts pan out. Low-elevation slopes have a MODERATE avalanche danger, where there has been less snow and lighter winds. Assessing changing conditions within the new and wind-drifted snow before committing to steep terrain could mean the difference between a great day in the mountains and a close call. Luckily, lower angle storm skiing will be great all day long!"
News Alerts
Cottonwood Canyons
March 24 @ 4:10 pm
Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190) is closed (3/24/2023) for avalanche mitigation. Both lanes of travel will be closed from the mouth to Cardiff (MP 10.7). Estimated time of opening is 3:30 p.m. Follow @UDOTCottonwoods Twitter or Instagram stories for updates. (details)
Little Cottonwood Canyon (SR-210) will be closing temporarily (3/24/23) for mid-day/mid-canyon avalanche mitigation. Uphill traffic to close at the mouth of the canyon at 12:00pm & downhill traffic will at 1:00pm at Snowbird Entry 1/Gate C. Estimated reopening is 3:30pm... (details)
The #TractionLaw is in effect for both Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons (SR-190/SR-210). Traction devices are required for all vehicles... (details)
View UDOT Cottonwood Canyon tweets.
A UDOT backcountry closure alert for Little Cottonwood (LCC Full North Side) was updated on March 24 at 4:01 pm. The status is "closed". This applies to all terrain north of Little Cottonwood Creek from Gate B to Grizzly Gulch. Extends 100 feet over Twin Lakes Pass, and 1000 meters into Big Cottonwood. This alert starts on March 24 @ 2:30 pm and ends on March 25 @ 8:30 am. (details)
Wasatch Backcountry Map App
24-Hour Forecast
Cottonwood Canyons
March 24 @ 3:01 pm
| 5:00 pm - 5:00 am | 5:00 am - 5:00 pm |
| 75% chance of (0.35" to 0.60" of H2O) 25% chance of (0.25" to 0.35" of H2O) | 75% chance of (0.10" to 0.30" of H2O) 25% chance of (0.30" to 0.40" of H2O) |
Snow showers are forecast throughout the evening and into the overnight hours... Total snowfall of 20 to 30 inches is forecast for the current storm which began at approximately 6 pm yesterday and is forecast...
7-Day Forecast
Cottonwood Canyons
March 24 @ 12:31 pm
This Afternoon: Blowing snow and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 19, with temperatures falling to around 10 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -11. Northwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 5, with temperatures rising to around 7 overnight. Wind chill values as low as -15. West wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 10. Wind chill values as low as -15. West wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Saturday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0. Wind chill values as low as -16. West wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 11. West wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday: A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 4.
Tuesday: A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 25.
Tuesday Night: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Wednesday: Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Current Temperature
| Alta March 24 @ 3:10 pm | Solitude's Powderhorn March 24 @ 3:00 pm |
48-Hour Snow Depth
| Alta's Collins March 24 @ 3:00 pm | Solitude's Summit March 24 @ 3:00 pm |
| Current depth: 212" | Current depth: 174" |
30-Day Snow Depth
| Alta's Collins March 24 @ 3:00 pm | Solitude's Summit March 24 @ 3:00 pm |
| Current depth: 212" | Current depth: 174" |
Avalanche Rescue
Training Resources
Annual SWE Comparison
Snow Water Equivalents
(Brighton)
March 24
More Info
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