There is a LOW avalanche danger to start today. The danger will rise to MODERATE with new snowfall and increased wind speeds this afternoon where it will be possible for humans to trigger small soft slab avalanches made up of new or wind-drifted snow. Keep an eye out for changing conditions and avoid any steep slope that could have shallow drifts of new or wind-blown snow.
Look for and avoid pillowy wind features and avoid steep slopes that have signs of wind loading such as cracking in the new snow. These drifts will be on the downwind side of ridges and gully features and you will want to stay back from sensitive new cornices on ridgelines.
With increased snowfall this afternoon you may see or trigger shallow new snow avalanches. These will be a couple of inches deep and are not of much harm to humans. Where this changes is in steep terrain where new snow has the ability to entrain more snow and run a long distance. These new snow slides could pack enough power to push you off your feet, and in extreme terrain overhanging cliffs or into steep trees even a shallow dry loose avalanche could be enough to take you for a nasty ride.
There were no reports of backcountry avalanches from the Provo Region from yesterday. Yesterday, just north of Provo we found good travel on smooth surfaces and shallow dry loose avalanches running on a density change in the newest snow. Check out all recent avalanches and observations HERE.
Currently, under partly cloudy skies temperatures are in the high 30's °F and low 40's °F. Wind speeds have picked up since yesterday and are blowing from the south and southwest in the 20's gusting to the 40's MPH. There was a trace of precipitation on some of the weather stations this morning. Today, look for partly cloudy skies with cloud cover increasing later this afternoon. Temperatures will be in the high 40's to the low 50's °F. Winds will blow from the south and southwest 20 gusting to 30 MPH at the lower ridgelines and from the southwest 30 gusting to 50 MPH at the highest ridgelines. Wind speeds will increase throughout the day with gusts up to 65 MPH possible at the highest ridgelines. There is a chance of a trace to 2" snow and .10"-.20" snow water equivalent (SWE) expected during the day. The storm is forecast to really get rolling with the passage of the cold front around 6PM tonight where we can expect to see increased wind speeds with 6"-9" snow and .60"-.90" SWE. Don't discount the chance of thunder and lightning with the passage of the cold front.
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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.
