Avalanche forecast

Provo

Issued Mar 19, 2020valid to Mar 20, 2020Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE at upper elevations where the new snow could produce loose snow sluffs. A few slabs of new snow could possibly avalanche where it has been drifted by winds just under ridgelines and cornices. The danger at mid and low elevations is LOW.

Avalanche problems

Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1
Yesterday's new snow was initially very dense but finished lighter (photo below). This new snow should be mostly bonded and stable today with some sluffing of the new snow possible especially where it rests on old snow that is either firm or icy. At upper elevations with closer to a foot of new snow, watch for this sluffing.

Although winds have been light, there may be a few isolated drifts of wind-blown snow that could avalanche but these will be confined to just under ridgelines and cornices.

Special Announcement

TONIGHT - Livestream presentation on Instagram, Craig Gordon will cover the State of the Snowpack followed by a Q&a session. Share with a friend and tune in @UTavy

We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.

Uphill Travel at Ski Areas - Some resorts will be offering limited uphill access, but not all do. Current info about uphill access from Ski Utah is posted HERE.

Recent Activity

Yesterday there was some sluffing of the new snow and a few shallow soft slabs of wind drifted snow (photo - Grainger). On Tuesday a large chunk of cornice fell in upper Days Fork and carried some snow downhill with it. Cornices are quite large this time of year. When walking on a ridgeline, it's sometime easy to not realize that you are walking on top of a huge, overhanging cornice. Don't take chances with these unpredictable monsters that can break at random times, often further back than you think.

No avalanches were observed as a result of yesterday's earthquake.

Snow and Weather

Overnight an additional 1-2 inches of snow fell. Combined with yesterday's snow, totals since yesterday morning are 6-9 inches (0.6-1.0 inches of water).

Temperatures this morning range are generally in the mid 20s F. Winds are about as calm as they can get and are only blowing 5-6 mph.

Today, an area of low pressure will be parked over Nevada bringing cloudy skies and intermittent snowfall. Total snow accumulations should only be a few inches but up to 4 inches is possible. Air temperatures should only warm into the mid 30s F. Winds should increase some this morning but still remain mostly light from the northwest.

The new snow yesterday started very dense but finished lighter which made the riding conditions quite good. Some sunshine (photo below) getting through the clouds warmed south and west facing slopes yesterday afternoon making the snow a little damp. That snow should have a slight ice crust this morning.

General Announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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