Provo
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
Today the avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations. Danger ratings are based on the North American Public Danger Scale and defined by three categories: (1) Travel Advice, (2) Likelihood of Avalanches, and (3) Avalanche Size and Distribution. LOW danger is defined as follows:
Travel Advice: Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Likelihood of Avalanches: Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.
Avalanche Size and distribution: Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
Recent Activity
No avalanches were reported from the backcountry on Friday, although observations from Wednesday and Thursday indicate isolated pockets of recent wind drifts up to 4" in open alpine terrain.
Despite the lean conditions, we continue to receive excellent observations from the backcountry. These are worth paying attention to as they are highlighting are rapidly-weakening snowpack.
Special Announcement
Announcement: Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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Snow and Weather
Skies are clear.
Temperatures are in the mid-30s with colder air settled in the basins and trailheads.
Winds picked up out of the east overnight and are blowing 15-20mph with gusts to 30.
We have roughly 12-18" of snow on the ground though many southerly aspects have melted to the ground. Sun and wind crusts dominate the landscape along with patches of soft settled powder in the more sheltered terrain.
My ski partner and I toured into the Provo mountains near the north side of Timpanogos (video below) and found stable conditions with enough snow to tour and make occasional turns. Derek Debruin also toured in Primrose Cirque and his report is HERE.
For today, we'll see sunny skies, light wind and temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s.
The Weather Outlook: Essentially a ridge of high pressure has maintained control of the west, shunting storms well to the north; whereas a few storms lucky enough to squeak through have generally weakened and dived to the south. In the video below of the GFS weather model out a week to 10 days, you'll see one such storm head toward us and then dramatically dive south and west. There are "hints" that the weather pattern may become more progressive around next Friday the 11th. For those unaccustomed to looking at weather maps, look for Utah on the map and associate the pretty colors with storms or unsettled weather. (Apologies to the atmospheric scientists out there.) Note that the loop runs twice on the video.
Additional Info
The beautiful weather forecasted for the weekend provides an ideal time to get out and practice with your rescue gear! Work on beacon drills, probing, and strategic shoveling. Push yourself - and your partners - to improve these important rescue skills.
General Announcements
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.