Bollettino valanghe

Provo

Utah Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco
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In sintesi

The avalanche danger is HIGH on all upper elevation slopes for triggering wind slabs and avalanches that fail into deeper weak layers. Warm temperatures, strong winds and heavy wet snow have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended.

Avoid all ice climbs in the Provo area. Avalanches can travel long distances from above.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Very Likely
    Dimensione
    3

    Southerly winds continue to blow with consistent speeds in the 15-25 mph range. This has drifted the new snow onto many leeward (downwind terrain) aspects and elevations just off the ridge lines. As the winds swirl in the mountain drainages and valleys it's also drifting snow and cross loading sub-ridges and mid slope break overs (see pic). On the shadier aspects the wind will drift snow onto weak sugary crystals of faceted snow and or surface hoar making the issue more complicated. Wind loading is a common denominator in most avalanche accidents.

    It will be possible to trigger these new drifts from a distance or from below slopes. Human triggered avalanches are very likely and natural avalanches likely. For today, avoid steep (greater than 30°) terrain. Especially in terrain that has pillowy, rounded, or hollow sounding snow at all the mid and upper elevations. Traveling in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended.

    Photo: cross loading / wind drifting snow on a mid slope ridge at 8,500' in elevation.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    3

    Over the past week we've seen clear skies and cold temperatures. This has created what we call near surface facets (NSF) and surface hoar (SH). Both of these crystals become a weak layer once we bury it. As the storm adds more and more weight to this layer it could become a serious problem. For now, it's best to avoid all avalanche terrain and avoid being in run-out zones. In shallow snowpack areas where the snowpack is less that about 5' feet deep it's possible to release a much larger avalanche that breaks deeper in the snowpack.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2

    With the rain/snow line around 6,500’ for much of the night, the wet soggy snow will need time to cool. It will be possible to trigger wet, loose sluffs today on all low elevation slopes. Avoid travel in steep gullies and couloirs, including ice climbs. Even a small wet sluff in a steep terrain trap such as a creek bed or road cut can pile up cement like debris burying you deep.

Special Announcement

Check out a new blog post - The Risks and Rewards of Ski Patrol - A Conversation with Jake Hutchinson.

Recent Activity

There are no new observations from the Provo area. However in the SLC mountains - there was one slab avalanche triggered by a snowmobiler in the Guardsman's area. This avalanche was about 1' deep and 100' wide. It's likely it failed on surface hoar.

Snow and Weather

The southerly winds continue to be the headline news in the mountains overnight and through out the day today. Upper elevation averages are in the 15-25 mph range gusting into the 40's and 50's. It's going to be hard to escape the winds with even the mid elevation anemometers reading speeds in the 15-25 mph range with gusts into the upper 30's.

Yup - it's avalanche weather. The rain snow line will ebb and flow around the 6,000' level today. Temperatures remain on the warm side with upper elevations in the low 20's °F. Rough snow totals are as follows:

Provo Area: 18" snow (3.38" h20)

Upper LCC: 16" snow (2.37" h20)

Upper BCC: 25" snow (2.87" h20)

Park City Ridge Line: 8-18" snow (1.0 - 2.1" h20)

The riding and turning conditions are excellent if you're in wind sheltered terrain and above about 7,000' where you'll ditch the rain drenched snow and be rewarded with dense, surfy, snow. We will remain in an active storm pattern under a southwest flow for much of the day today. Another 3-6" of new snow is possible with more in favored locations. Tuesday morning/afternoon a trough will slice overhead bringing colder temps and more snow.

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.

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