Provo
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
The snowpack is generally stable and the avalanche danger is LOW. Two concerns are (1) fresh slab of wind drifted snow at all upper elevations. These wind slabs will be generally shallow and isolated to terrain features that allow for drifting snow to accumulate, and (2) loose snow avalanches and minor sluffing in steep wind-sheltered zones.
The snow on southerly-facing slopes shouldn't heat up too much today to cause widespread wet avalanches, but pay attention to changing conditions and be prepared to alter your plans. If the snow surface is becoming damp, it's time to leave or change your aspect.
Recent Activity
Yesterday, in the Central Wasatch ski resorts and backcountry travelers reported easy sluffing and loose dry avalanches within the new snow, a few small soft slab avalanches up high in the wind zone, and one small wet slide on Superior.
No reports from the Provo area.
Snow and Weather
This morning: Under mostly clear skies, snowfall has stopped and temperatures are in the low 20s F at trailheads and in the upper teens at ridgelines. Winds from the northwest are averaging 5-15 mph gusting to the mid-20s at ridgelines.
Today: Skies will become mostly sunny, and the Northwest winds will continue throughout the day. Expect mountain temperatures to climb into the mid 30s F. The northwest winds will average 5-15 mph, with gusts below 25 at mid-elevations. At upper elevation ridgelines, the winds will average 10-20 mph and gust up to 30 mph this afternoon, and increasing this evening.
Looking ahead: The weekend will have dry and cool weather. Another storm should arrive late Sunday night or early Monday morning. This one looks more promising.
Yesterday's storm capped a wide variety of snow surfaces which will determine future avalanche conditions as more new snow accumulates. Since Tuesday evening, trace amount-2 inches of new snow has fallen in the Provo area. There is an incredible amount of variability in the old snow surface which consists of weak facets, crusts of varying thicknesses and hardnesses, wind-eroded and sculped snow, and some areas are simply covered in tracks.
The challenge in the future is that having such a wide variety of snow surfaces means there will be a wide variety of stability from slope to slope and the pattern will be complex and tricky to map. With more cold temperatures in the forecast, the new snowfall may begin to weaken and facet at the surface, continuing to add to the wide variety covering the range. Pay attention to the changing snow surfaces before the next storm system.
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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.