Avalanche forecast

Provo

Issued Feb 6, 2021valid to Feb 7, 2021Utah 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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

A CONSIDERABLE danger exists at the mid and upper-elevations, particularly in steep wind loaded terrain. Avalanches may be 2-5' deep and over several-hundred feet wide. Remember that avalanches can be triggered from a distance.

These are avalanche accident conditions today.

The Good News: safe and surfy riding conditions can be found on low angle terrain of all aspects with no overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
3
We may see a few avalanches to the ground. These may be explosive triggered, natural, or human triggered. The heavy snowfall and sustained winds may be too much for some of our northerly terrain with a creaky snowpack; particularly areas that have previously avalanched to near the ground this year. Any fresh wind slab or new snow avalanche may step down into this older layering of weak snow.

Particularly dangerous areas would include Snake Creek, upper American Fork, and in the north and south fork of Provo Canyon.
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Strong winds will continue to move snow into wind drifts that may be increasingly stubborn and less reactive as the day wears on. The wind drift may be well off the ridgelines, cross-loaded across the landscape, and may release on not the first but perhaps second or third rider across the slope. Cracking and collapsing may or may not be evident.

Special Announcement

With great sadness, the Utah Avalanche Center reports that a 57-year old skier, Kurt Damschroder of Park City, was killed Saturday, January 30 in a backcountry avalanche off of Square Top Peak, located on the Park City Ridgeline. The final accident report can be found HERE. Our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragic accident, especially the family and friends of Kurt.

Since February 1, there have been nine other avalanche fatalities in the US.

Recent Activity

We didn't hear of any avalanches in the Provo mountains yesterday.

It has been a very active week with nearly 40 natural and human-triggered avalanches reported to the UAC from the Salt Lake mountains. The actual number is likely much higher. This included two very-close calls as well as the second avalanche fatality of the season in the state. Get caught up by reading our Week in Review for this past week where we highlight significant avalanche, snow, and weather events.

Snow and Weather

Skies are partly cloudy. Mountain temperatures are generally in the 20s.

The wind. 11,000' anemometers suffered a few gusts from the west-northwest over 100mph yesterday afternoon. They remain modeate at the mid-elevations and strong up high.

Storm totals are 3-5" in the Provo mountains and perhaps twice that in upper American Fork.

Skiing and riding conditions are excellent and surfy on higher density graupel snow and wind whales across the landscape.

For today, skies will trend partly cloudy with mountain temperatures rising to the low to mid-20s. Expect no mercy from the northwest winds; they're forecast to increase in speed this afternoon.

The Outlook:

With a high amplitude ridge to the West, we'll remain under a cool, breezy northwest flow through mid-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