Provo
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
While the avalanche danger is LOW this morning, the beginnings of a storm will drop 1-2 inches of new snow on top of a very weak snowpack. Northerly slopes at mid and upper elevations will be where you are most likely to find quite reactive, but quite small pockets of wind-drifted snow. These will increase in size and reactivity, and will be easier to find throughout the day.
Avalanche danger will rise through LOW into the evening.If the storm overproduces, we could reach MODERATE danger by sunset.
Special Announcement
Recent Activity
No avalanche activity was reported from Sunday.
You can view all recent observations here.
Snow and Weather
Yesterday, favored areas of Provo mountain temperatures in the 20s F, with maybe trace amounts of snow falling on the highest peaks. Winds blew from the west in the teens to 20s mph, with gusts into the 30s mph.
Today, a landfalling atmospheric makes its way into Northern Utah. Expect cloudy skies, light to moderate winds out of the SSW, mountain temps in the 20s F, and our long-awaited snow. Freezing levels will be around 7k feet. While the bulk of the precip from this first pulse will arrive late tonight into tomorrow, we can expect the following by 5pm today:
- Favored areas (Aspen Grove, Timpanogos environs): 1-2 inches of snow // 0.1-0.2 inches H2O
- Less-favored areas (Provo Peak, Bunnels Fork): Trace-1 inch of snow // 0-0.1 inches H2O
Tonight into tomorrow, precipitation rates and wind pick up. Check back then for more details.
Pattern shifts as mindset shifts: We have largely been in an open season mindset for much of January into February. Our last large storm ended on 1/9, leaving us with far-flung travel, and a mostly LOW avalanche danger. While the danger remains at LOW as we start the day, as snow starts to stack up modestly, I'm using the moment for an intentional pause to shift my mindset. There are two things certain this week: more snow (of some amount) and increased avalanche activity (of some amount as well). We will not be getting one without the other with the current weak snowpack structure. Reining in my status quo notions of where and how to travel is at the forefront of my mind, as is dialing back terrain choices as more snow falls later this week into the weekend. (Roger Atkins has some more for you to chew on HERE).
General Announcements
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.