Dangerous avalanche conditions forecasted

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Utah Avalanche Center are warning skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers to stay out of the backcountry for a little while.

The late blast of winter over the past couple of days may be great for the ski resorts, but it also raised the danger level for all Wasatch Front mountains to "high," according to the Avalanche Center Web site.

"Both natural and human triggered avalanches are certain on steep slopes," the center statement notes. "Backcountry travel is not recommended."

The wet snow and the winds, particularly overnight, have created very dangerous conditions, according to the center.

The Cottonwood Canyons have reported 3 feet of new snow in the past 48 hours. Between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, Brighton Peaks at Brighton Ski Resort reported 41 inches of new snow, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts from 40 mph to 70 mph were reported across the state, mostly in the highest elevations.

— Pat Reavy