The avalanche danger is MODERATE for triggering a large, deep avalanche in isolated places at the mid & upper elevation west through southeast facing terrain. It's the classic low-probability of triggering a high-consequence avalanche. The danger is also MODERATE for triggering wind drifts at all upper elevations.
If I were headed out today, the number one thing I'd be looking for is older wind drifts. The most recent winds that transported snow blew from the north. Most of these slabs of wind drifted snow are stable and bonded to underlying snow. Be especially watchful for old drifts if you're heading into more extreme terrain where the consequences of a very small avalanche can be severe.
The odds of triggering a large avalanche breaking on buried persistent weak layers 3-5 feet deep are relatively small, but the consequences are huge. I have no idea what those odds are, but I'd be a little concerned. The Provo area mountains had a drier December than the mountains a little further north closer to SLC. Drier weather meant weaker snow underneath all the snow that fell this month. The avalanche spotted yesterday on the west side of Timpanogos yesterday is a good reminder of this problem.
I would continue to avoid steep slopes on the mid and upper elevations that face west through southeast. You'll need to evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and identify features of concern. Keeping your slope angles under 30° degrees in steepness and avoid being on anything steep above or adjacent to you would be my advice for traveling in the Provo mountains. The avalanche you would trigger would be massive and easily could bury, or kill a person.
With more strong sunshine, some loose wet snow avalanches are possible. The surface snow on many slopes has been through several melt-freeze cycles which should limit wet avalanche activity. However, it's worth being mindful of this wet snow avalanche potential if you're traveling on south or west aspects.
The report from Friday's avalanche accident is finished and can be found HERE. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends that are effected by this accident.
One large avalanche was spotted on the west side of Mt. Timpanogos yesterday (photo below). It is unclear when it happened but seems recent.
There have also been some large, deep, slab avalanches breaking on a persistent weak layer of facets in the Uinta Mountains. If you're headed into those mountains check out some of the recent slides in that area HERE.
This morning under mostly clear skies, mountain temperatures are in the upper teens to low 20's F. A few trail heads have temperatures in the single digits F. Light winds are only blowing 10-15 mph from the west at 11,000 feet with a few higher gusts. Lower ridge lines have winds about the same from the SW.
Today high temperatures should climb into the upper 30's F but it will feel a warmer than that in the strong sunshine. Winds should increase by about five mph.
Big picture - The ridge of high pressure is starting to flatten and move east. Snow should arrive Saturday morning and last into early next week. Fingers crossed.
Recent northerly winds damaged the powder on some slopes and southerly facing slopes have a crust. However, soft settled powder can still be found on many slopes. Easterly facing slopes may have the best snow. Settlement cones around trees at 8500 feet in Snake Creek in the photo below show how much last week's snow has settled since then. It doesn't mean to much avalanche-wise but is pretty to look at.
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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.
