| Updated: Feb. 16, 2021, 12:04 a.m.
The chance of “deadly avalanches” in Utah’s backcountry is “likely” over the next few days, according to the Utah Avalanche Center.
Heavy snowfall and drifting from the ongoing winter storm across the state “will continue to overload an exceptionally weak snowpack,” resulting in “very dangerous avalanche conditions,” according to the center.
The chance of avalanches is currently high, and will “likely rise to extreme in some areas,” the center warned in a news release. The risk is highest starting Monday afternoon through Wednesday, and potentially into Thursday.
“Extreme” is the highest level of avalanche danger, when they’re “certain to occur.” And when they do, they may run historic distances; they will be “fast-moving, far-running and very destructive”; and they may reach or occur in places that are not normally affected by avalanches.