Avalanche forecast

Provo

Issued Dec 12, 2020valid to Dec 13, 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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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 at upper elevations will be MODERATE where winds have deposited snow. Look for and avoid these freshly formed slabs of wind drifted snow which will be small but easy to trigger. Where winds haven't drifted the new snow, it should sluff easily because the older snow underneath is very weak, faceted, and loose.

At mid and low elevations the avalanche danger is LOW.

Because the snowpack is very shallow, hitting rocks, stumps, and other obstacles remains a major concern. These hazards will be harder to see today as they will be covered by just a few inches of light snow.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1
Winds should easily drift any snow that falls today but this should mainly be an issue at upper elevations with stronger winds and more snow.

The resulting wind slabs will be very easy to trigger because they will be resting on very weak, faceted snow that formed during the last several weeks of dry weather. Even though avalanches today won't be big, they should accelerate very quickly and sweep you off your feet. You may not get buried by these small avalanches but they could easily cause trauma. Imagine sliding downhill at 25 mph or faster and hitting a rock with your head.

What to do? Avoid these fresh wind drifts by thinking about where they form which is under ridgelines and along cross-loaded gullies. Read more HERE.

Recent Activity

No avalanches have been reported but we expect that to change in coming days.

Snow and Weather

Yesterday: A trace to 1 inch of snow fell.

Currently: Snow started falling at 4 a.m. and about 1 inch had fallen by 6 a.m. Temperatures are about 15 degrees F. Winds were blowing 15-20 mph from the west overnight but have calmed to 10-15 mph this morning.

Today: Most of the snow should fall this morning while lingering light snow showers will continue through the afternoon. 2-4 inches of low density snow should accumulate by the end of today. Winds should increase some from the northwest today and blow 20 mph at upper ridgelines.

Additional Info

Weeks of dry weather and clear, cold skies have weakened and faceted the snowpack on nearly all slopes at mid and upper elevations. The only exceptions are slopes facing due south that received direct sunshine. Even the slightest aspect change away from due south means that the snowpack is very faceted. South facing slopes with the slightest bit of shade from trees or other terrain features will have faceted snow as well.

What does this mean? Slab avalanches require 4 ingredients - slab, weak layer, steep slope, and a trigger. The old snow is the weak layer. Snow falling in coming weeks will become the slab. We are the trigger. There is no doubt that avalanches will start happening as more snow comes. The main strategy to avoid avalanches will be to avoid riding on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Watch the video below from a field day Drew had on Mt Timpanogos last week.

General Announcements

Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures