THE DANGER IN THE PROVO MOUNTAINS IS EXTREME. LARGE, LONG RUNNING DESTRUCTIVE AVALANCHES ARE EXPECTED.
AVOID ALL AVALANCHE TERRAIN.
AVOID THE RUNOUTS OF STEEP AVALANCHE PATHS.
This is - again - a significant loading event for our buried weak layers from November. Large natural avalanches are expected again.
These avalanches will be most problematic on northwest to easterly facing aspects of all elevations, but we cannot rule out the other aspects at this time. Tread carefully - these are unsurvivable avalanches. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
TREND: Same
Continued heavy snowfall will increase the avalanche danger today on all aspects and elevations. I expect rising sensitivity and size of both soft slab avalanches and dry loose avalanches within the new snow of all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Any new snow or wind drifted snow avalanche may step down into older weaker layers, resulting in a larger, more dangerous avalanche.
TREND: Increasing
Sensitive soft slabs of wind blown snow will be found on steep slopes of the mid and upper elevations. With shifting winds, all aspects of the mid and upper elevations may harbor soft slabs of wind blown snow. These can be found well off the ridgelines and around other terrain features. Cracking is a clear sign of instability. Avoid steep terrain with fresh wind drifts.
Any new snow or wind drifted snow avalanche may step down into older weaker layers, resulting in a larger, more dangerous avalanche.
TREND: Decreasing
THE FOREST SERVICE UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER IN SALT LAKE CITY HAS CONTINUED A BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY 6AM MST TO MONDAY 6AM MST...
* WHAT...The avalanche danger is HIGH across northern, central, and southwest Utah. The danger has reached EXTREME in some parts of the Provo area mountains.
* WHERE...For most mountains in Utah and southeast Idaho, including the Wasatch Range, Bear River Range, Uinta Range, Manti-Skyline, Fish Lake Region, Pavant Range, Tushar Range, and Cedar City area mountains.
* WHEN...In effect from 6AM MST this morning to 6AM MST Monday
* IMPACTS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely on many slopes and may be triggered at a distance. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Wow, where to begin? Even with very limited visibility, large, long running natural avalanches occurred on the south, west and east sides Timpanogos:
Report of a large avalanche last night in The Fingers above Sundance.
Yesterday -
pc: Bauer
WOW.
2022 went out like a lion and 2023 has picked up where 2022 left off. It's still snowing and avalanches are occurring as I write at 530AM.
Happy New Year.
Overnight snow totals are 10"/1.57" SWE and it's still snowing. Winds are out of the southwest, blowing 20mph with gusts to 30. Temps are in the upper 20s and low 30s.
Storm snow and water numbers are unbelievable and I cannot remember this much snow-water-equivalent in this short of time in my tenure. I'll have to look back at the old charts. The mid-mountain snowstake has picked up - since Friday morning -
Snow stakes now sit at 75-85" in Provo. Amazing.
Snowfall will be heavy at times today arriving on a southerly flow. Winds will diminish and continue shifting counterclockwise with the storm moving overhead. Temps will be in the mid 20s, cooling to the low teens by tomorrow. Snowfall should continue tonight through tomorrow with another 12-18" expected. Unsettled Tuesday with shortwave ridging mid-week. Return to an active westerly flow by late week.
Help support the UAC while doing your Holiday Shopping. The UAC's Holiday Silent Auction opens at 8:00 AM MT on December 26 and will close at 8:00 PM MT on January 2. Take a look at items and bid HERE.
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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.
