Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Sunday morning, December 26, 2021
The avalanche danger is HIGH on mid and upper elevation aspects facing west through north and east where strong winds and recent snowfall have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Both natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in or beneath avalanche terrain is not recommended on west/north/east aspects at the mid and upper elevations.
There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on mid and upper elevation aspects facing southwest, south and southeast. Low elevations have a Moderate avalanche danger.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Avalanche Warning
THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS HIGH WITH DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS.
AN AVALANCHE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF MUCH OF THE STATE OF UTAH, INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...UINTA MOUNTAINS...AND THE MANTI-SKYLINE.
HEAVY DENSE SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS HAVE CREATED DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS. BOTH HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.
Special Announcements
Avalanche conditions are very dangerous across most of the State of Utah as discussed by our staff in this video.
Weather and Snow
A cold front is rapidly approaching the Wasatch this morning and we'll see another good shot of snow with this system. Many areas will see 6-12" of new snow by the time it rolls east ahead of another, much colder storm for Monday.
Temperatures are in the 20s.
As my colleague Eric Trenbeath likes to say, though, The Story is the Wind.
South to southwesterly winds increased overnight with hourly averages of 30-40mph. Gusts have reached 50mph.
For today, look for heavy snowfall rates around 8-10am with 2"/hour expected. Winds will shift to the west with frontal passage but remain moderate/borderline strong. Temperatures will be in the low 20s.
We have another storm on tap for Monday that'll produce another round of snow. Temperatures crash to the low single digits with this storm. Another foot or more of snow is possible by Monday night.
Recent Avalanches
The northeast chute of Elk Point had at least one natural avalanche, likely Thursday night or Friday morning, during the period of heaviest precipitation intensity. Another avalanche (likely a natural) was reported from Upper Dry Creek on Timpanogos on a southeast aspect. Although the avalanche was observed from a distance with poor lighting, the crown was estimated between 2-6' deep and 250' wide.
Although specific to the Salt Lake mountains, can get caught up by reading our Week in Review where we summarize significant snow and weather events from this past week.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Recent snowfall and strong winds have overloaded a persistent weak layer (PWL) of faceted snow down near the ground on mid and upper elevation aspects facing west through north and east. This weak layer formed from snow that fell earlier this Autumn, and once we buried this weak layer beginning on December 9, the PWL has become reactive with avalanching on every loading event of new snow and/or wind.
Avalanches failing on this weak layer may be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below. Any avalanche failing on this PWL may break down 2-6' deep (possibly deeper) and propagate hundreds of feet wide.
Do not travel on or below slopes approaching 30 degrees or steeper on mid and upper elevation aspects facing west through north and east.
The photo below shows the poor structure of strong snow over weak snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Strong winds have created dense wind drifts on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Although the winds have been from the west/southwest, winds this strong can channel snow around terrain features and create fresh drifts on all aspects, including well-down off of ridge lines. You may even find fresh wind drifts at unusually low elevations below 8,000'
On mid and upper elevation slopes facing west through north and east, these drifts will overload the buried layer of weak faceted snow down near the ground.
Avalanche Problem #3
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
New snow avalanches will be particularly sensitive during the morning hours during high snowfall rates. Natural avalanches may be possible in the steepest terrain...Avalanches may also be triggered at a distance during this time.
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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 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
Instagram
Facebook
Get Forecast Email
Previous Forecasts
Contact via email
Submit Observation
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >