Avalanche forecast

Provo

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on mid and upper elevation aspects facing northwest through north and east. Human triggered avalanches are LIKELY where you can expect avalanches to break 2-3' feet deep and over several hundred feet wide. Avalanches can be triggered from a distance, from below on lower-angled slopes, and on slopes that have already slid this year.

There are much safer riding alternatives on southerly aspects.

There is also a Moderate hazard for sluffing in the loose storm snow, as well as isolated pockets of fresh wind drifts on upper elevation aspects facing east and southeast.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Since this past Wednesday, the Provo mountains have received nearly 2' of storm snow with a significant wind loading event on Thursday. During this period, there were human-triggered as well as natural avalanches. Mitigation results from control work at Cottonwood resorts in the Salt Lake mountains also produced large avalanches. Although winds have diminished, since Sunday nearly another 0.25" of water weight was added to the snowpack. Field observations from the Salt Lake mountains on Sunday included another remotely-triggered avalanche, continued reports of collapsing, as well as full propagation with extended column tests, all indications the weak faceted snow that can be found on aspects facing west, through north, to east remains reactive. If you choose to ride a slope steeper than about 30 degrees on one of these aspects you are likely to trigger a large avalanche that will be 2-3' deep and may run several hundred feet wide. Hmmmm ....

    But, do not despair! Storm snow over the past 5 days has filled in southerly aspects where there is no weak faceted snow down near the ground, providing a much safer alternative than aspects facing the northern half of the compass. Topped off with legendary Wasatch powder from Sunday and overnight, these southerly aspects are providing 5-star riding on December 3.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Yesterday I was finding the super-low density storm snow to sluff easily on steeper test slopes. Although not entraining large amounts of snow, these sluffs could knock you off of your skis/board or carry you into a terrain trap. Additionally, for a few hours overnight there was a slight uptick in northwest winds at the highest elevations, and you may find pockets of small wind drifts on southeast/east aspects along ridgelines above 10,000'. Although winds are forecasted to remain light today, any bump in wind speeds may quickly creative fresh sensitive soft slabs.

Special Announcement

We have a couple of fun events coming up on December 5th and 6th in Salt Lake and Park City. Topics include Recreating in New Zones, Women's Specific Avalanche Awareness, and a slide show from Ascent Magazine. More info about these events HERE.

Recent Activity

The only report we received of avalanche activity in the Provo mountains was from a party ice climbing in Santaquin Canyon. You can read this avalanche occurrence by clicking here.

Snow and Weather

Conditions this morning in the Provo mountains feature temperatures in the single digits with some of the warmer spots in the low teens. Winds are out of the west/northwest and generally light, less than 10 mph, although some stations along upper elevation ridgelines have recorded overnight gusts in the upper teens. 3" of snow has been recorded in the Provo mountains in the past 24 hours, with higher amounts likely at the upper elevations.

Perfect December weather continues today with mostly-cloudy skies and continued snow showers with mountain temperatures in the teens. The cold northwest flow may deliver another 1-3" of low-density snow during the day today. Winds will be out of the west/northwest and generally light, with gusts in the teens along the upper elevation ridgelines. Chance for continued snow showers overnight.

Additional Info

Bluebird skies for Tuesday and continued cold, with a chance for a few snow showers later on Wednesday. Precipitation later this week looks to favor southern Utah, with promise for more active weather later this week and into the weekend. Although no major storms are currently appearing in the forecast, fortunately there is also no indication of any significant ridging.

General Announcements

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 advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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