Avalanche forecast

Provo

Issued Jan 22, 2025valid to Jan 23, 2025Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all upper-elevation slopes. After 24 hours of elevated winds and soft snow available for transport, fresh wind drifts may be found on all aspects and sub-features that are typically wind-protected.

Rounded pillows of snow that crack or collapse upon approach are clear signs that the wind-drifts are sensitive and should be approached with caution.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Overnight, northwesterly winds gusted over 55 mph. With such strong winds, sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow are likely on all upper-elevation slopes:

Wind drifts will appear pillowy, rounded, and will often be found on the windward sides of ridgelines, gullies, and terrain features.

Cornices on ridgelines indicate wind-loaded slopes below, which will be particularly sensitive today.

Cracking and collapsing in the snow are clear warning signs of unstable wind-drifted snow.
Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
3
Avalanches 1'-3' deep and up to 100' wide are most likely in thin, rocky zones, gullies, or slopes that have previously avalanched and reloaded with wind-drifted snow. Areas receiving additional wind loading are especially suspect.

While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is decreasing, this remains a low-probability, high-consequence problem. The persistent weak layers are still present when you dig in the snow, and this layer could come back to life with new snow or wind in the coming days or weeks. The low and mid elevation terrain in the Provo Area Region is thin, it has seen less snow than its northern neighbors and weak snow is widespread, see Drew's Observation from earlier this week.

Special Announcement

Join the UAC at Deer Valley on January 30th for the 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball Gala. Former Director of the Utah Avalanche Center, Bruce Tremper will deliver the keynote address.

Recent Activity

Yesterday, we had no reports of avalanches to the UAC from the Provo Region. We had several great observations from the backcountry and you can read all observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

Under clear skies, temperatures have climbed above zero for the first time in a while, with most trailheads ranging between 15-20°F. Upper-elevation weather stations are still in the single digits. Winds are coming from the northwest, averaging in the teens, with gusts into the 20s at mid-elevations and gusts into the 50s at upper elevations. Peak winds exceeded 55 mph over the last 24 hours.

Today, expect mostly clear skies with temperatures rising into the mid-20s °F. Winds at mid-elevations will be from the west-northwest at 5-10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. At upper elevations, winds will continue from the northwest, sustained at 30 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph, tapering throughout the day.

Even with extremely cold air temperatures, some south- and west-facing aspects may develop a slight melt-freeze crust just below the surface. In most locations, this won't affect sliding conditions, but it’s a unique occurrence and worth noting if still present before our next storm.

General Announcements

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures