Provo

Avalanche problems

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Very Likely

  Size

  2

  It is currently raining heavily in the Provo area mountains and only slated to continue throughout this morning before cold air pushes the rain line down. There have been reports of natural wet-loose avalanches occurring this morning. Today, natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches will be very likely at the lower elevation bands, and maybe even the lower reaches of the mid-elevation band.

  The main concern is having a naturally triggered slide come down onto you, especially if you are in a gully, couloir, or other confined terrain where avalanche debris can pile up deeper and you have no route for escape.

  Keep the ice tools stowed: Surprisingly, there is still some ice climbing to be had across northern Utah but these crags will be very dangerous. The heavy precipitation this morning could trigger wet loose avalanches to run down the gullies and down the ice flows.

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Likely

  Size

  2

  Due to the elevated winds that have accompanied this front, you'll likely find new and developing slabs of wind drifted snow at the upper elevations, and some mid-elevation sub ridges as well. As the winds continue to blow, these slabs will become more firm and more cohesive. This can allow you to travel out farther onto the slope before it breaks, and can fail larger and wider than expected. Winds have mostly been blowing from the south, southwest, but look for drifting on all aspects which can be loaded from the tops of ridges or across the sides of ridges.

  Look for blowing and drifting snow and avoid any fresh deposits of wind blown snow. CORNICES are currently large and growing and may be particularly sensitive and tender during periods of strong winds today. Give cornices a wide berth as they often break farther back than expected. Cornices are signs that a slope has been wind loaded and a cornice fall could trigger a larger slab of wind-drifted snow below.

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2

  The new snow issue is generally simple today, as the snowfall totals increases, the avalanche danger is going to increase as well. As of 5 AM roughly 1-4" inches of new snow has fallen throughout the Wasatch range and the front is predicted to have multiple periods of high snowfall rates this morning. This new snow is going to have a variety of excellent bed surfaces to slide on and I expect to see shallow new snow avalanches in the backcountry today.

  Beyond this ongoing storm, we have had a lot of snow over the last few weeks and there are areas where we are finding decomposing stellar crystals, buried ice crusts, rime crusts, and isolated areas of faceted snow buried 1-3' from the surface and it's a good reminder that strange weather (like above average snowfall, and rain on snow) leads to strange avalanches. There is also a possibility of triggering an isolated slab avalanche on a new/old snow interface that is buried 1-3' from the surface. The solar aspects, particularly southeasterly facing slopes are acting more like a northerly aspect.

  The type of avalanche, slab avalanche versus loose snow avalanche, will come down to how quickly the new snow bonds, versus how quickly the snow is falling from the sky. During any periods of higher rates of snowfall (greater than 1" per hour) avalanches will be easier to trigger. Pay attention to changing weather and increased snowfall rates. Watch for signs of instability such as cracking and sluffing