SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — A large portion of the area between Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons will be closed Friday due to avalanche concerns.
READ: Stormy weather pattern will impact Utah for the next several days
The Utah Department of Transportation posted the closures on social media.
"All terrain north of Little Cottonwood Creek from Gate B through Cardiff backcountry closed. Please stay EAST of Cardiff Bowl and areas underneath Cardiff. Extends 1,000m into Big Cottonwood Canyon. 2/12/21 8:00am- 2/12/21 5:00pm"
Multiple weather systems will impact northern Utah throughout the weekend, with rain Friday morning turning into snow in the mountains later in the day and on Saturday and Sunday.
Up to 14 inches of snow could fall in the Cottonwood Canyons by Friday, the National Weather Service reports.
The Utah Avalanche Center issued an Avalanche Watch for the backcountry beginning Saturday and lasting through the weekend. The organization warns the danger level will be "high" by Saturday, and "very dangerous" until Monday for all northern Utah mountains, including the Wasatch Range, Bear River Range, Uinta Mountains and Manti Skyline.
"Both human triggered and natural avalanches will become likely. Stay off of and out from slopes steeper than 30 degrees," was posted to Facebook.
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Posted by Utah Avalanche Center on Friday, February 12, 2021