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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Sunday morning, November 17, 2024
Avalanche Season has begun. It may be possible to trigger shallow soft slab avalanches failing 10-18" deep on older weak snow near the ground. These soft slabs will be found in very localized terrain on shady slopes of the higher elevations and may be triggered at a distance.
Updates will follow as conditions warrant.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Weather and Snow
Skies are clear with temps in the teens. Winds are generally light. Storm totals from the last storm were 3-6"+ of snow with up to 0.44" of snow water equivalent with snow depths of 10-20" on the ground, perhaps more in wind drifted areas.
We'll have mostly clear skies this morning with increasing clouds and southwest wind by late afternoon. Temps will rise into the 20s. Another storm is on tap but should only produce 2-4" of snow. High pressure develops for the remainder of the week.
This most recent snow and wind was just enough weight to tip the balance in very localized terrain. In the Salt Lake mountains, two parties triggered avalanches in the backcountry yesterday, with cracking and collapsing the sure giveaway to a creaky early season snowpack. These were on steep north and northwest facing slopes at and above 9800' with one being triggered at a distance. Photo from Silver Fork below. You will find a similar snow structure in the higher ramparts of the Provo area mountains and caution should be observed if heading into this terrain.
Recent Avalanches
Find all recent observations HERE.
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Additional Information
It’s never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:
  • Before traveling within one of the ski resort boundaries, even early season, check out Resort Uphill Policies
  • We have over 5 hours of free online learning at the Know Before You Go Website
  • Sign up for an on-snow class or in in person Know Before you Go Event HERE
  • Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and updating the firmware if it is an electric version or getting your canister refilled if it's not electronic