Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Sunday morning, February 14, 2021

DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

The danger is estimated to be HIGH and may rise to EXTREME in some areas in the next day or two.

Long running natural and human triggered avalanches are expected. Even unusual avalanches are possible in atypical terrain on atypical aspects and elevations.

Travel Advice: Avoid being on or beneath steep slopes.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Avalanche Warning

WARNING ISSUED

THE AVALANCHE DANGER FOR THE WARNING AREA IS HIGH

IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MST THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MST TUESDAY

FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF MUCH OF THE STATE OF UTAH, INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...UINTA MOUNTAINS...MANTI-SKYLINE PLATEAU...THE LA SALS AND ABAJOS....THE FISH LAKE REGION…PAHVANTS…TUSHARS…AND THE CEDAR CITY AREA MOUNTAINS.

DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. NATURAL AND HUMAN TRIGGERED AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.

Special Announcements

The final report about the Wilson Glade avalanche in Millcreek Canyon has been published. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and families involved in this tragic accident.

NOTE: FEB 1-8th was one of the deadlier weeks on record with 15 backcountry fatalities in the US.

Dangerous avalanche conditions still exist.

Weather and Snow

Skies are overcast with a trace of new overnight.

Mountain temperatures are in the single digits to mid-teens.

Winds are generally light from the north; however the highest elevations are seeing gusts to 35.

Storm totals since Thursday night are now up to 15-20" with snow water equivalents pushing 2.0".

We're not done. The next storm is on tap for tomorrow.

We'll see mostly cloudy skies today with temps in the teens. Northwest winds should increase to 20-25mph along the highest elevations.

The next storm arrives tomorrow and will be accompanied by strong northwest winds and the arrival of snowfall on a warming trend. Another 8-14"+ can be expected through Wednesday.

Recent Avalanches

Avalanches ran with explosive control work yesterday. Natural avalanching is also suspected in the steepest terrain.

Our Week in Review - where we highlight significant avalanche and snow events for the past week - is published.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

You can still trigger deep and destructive avalanches 3-5'+ deep and hundreds of feet wide.

Key Information: The most suspect terrain includes mid and upper elevation west to north to southeast facing slopes but I am worried with the recent and expected snowfall and wind that some southerly aspects and lower elevation northerly aspects will also become active. I am uncertain of timing. It may be today, tomorrow, or Tuesday.

These types of avalanches are most pronounced in steep, thin rocky terrain...and areas that have previously avalanched this winter.

Keep in mind:

Existing tracks on the slope offer zero signs of stability.
Avalanches can be triggered from a distance or below.
Any fresh wind slab or new snow avalanche may step down several feet into older snow..

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

New snow avalanches are possible on all aspects and elevations and will likely get bigger and more active over the next few days. Extreme caution is required.

Lastly, pay attention to cornices. Cornices are developing along many ridgelines and we have seen a few avalanches triggered from cornice falls. Be sure to give cornices a wide berth as they typically break much further back than expected and could trigger a much larger avalanche below.

General Announcements

Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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