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

Greg Gagne
Issued by Greg Gagne on
Monday morning, February 28, 2022
The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE on mid and upper elevation slopes facing east through south and west with natural and human-triggered loose, wet avalanches possible.
On isolated mid and upper elevation slopes facing west through north and east there is a MODERATE danger for triggering soft slabs 1' to 2' deep failing on a buried persistent weak layer.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
Currently: Skies are clear with temperatures ranging through the 20's F. Some low-elevation trailheads where colder air sinks are in the low teens. Winds are from the northwest and less than 10 mph at the mid elevations. Along the highest ridgelines, winds are averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph.
For today, temperatures into the mid and upper 30's F at low and mid-elevations and right around freezing at the upper elevations, although today's clear skies and strong sunshine will likely make it feel much warmer. Winds will remain light at low and mid elevations and average in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph along the highest exposed ridges and summits.
Temperatures will warm through midweek with a trough possible by the end of the week.
Recent Avalanches
Other than minor wet-loose sluffing, no backcountry avalanches were reported from Sunday.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The cold, dry snow from last week was slowly introduced to warming over the weekend: it was first touched by sunshine on Saturday and slightly warmer temperatures and cloudy skies on Sunday. Therefore, today's strong sunshine and temperatures rising above freezing won't shock the snow surface, but there will be some avalanches involving wet, loose snow on aspects facing east through south and west. Wet rollerballs and loose sluffs are indications the snow surface is warming and that it's time to move to more northerly aspects.
Although wet avalanche activity is likely to be small, it could be consequential in confined terrain such as the accident in Tanners Gulch on Saturday in the Salt Lake mountains. Although this avalanche likely involved dry, loose snow, it does highlight this type of consequential terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The January/February drought resulted in weak, faceted snow along many snow surfaces and it was covered by the 10-16" of snow and wind-drifting from last week. Avalanches failing on this persistent weak layer are still possible on slopes facing west/north/east, but require need a denser, more-cohesive slab (i.e. wind-drifted) to avalanche. Cracking and collapsing are signs this structure exists, such as this party experienced on Sunday near Lake Blanche in Mill B South in the Salt Lake mountains. Avalanches failing on this PWL (persistent weak layer) can be triggered remotely (from a distance).
Before committing to a steeper slope on these W/N/E aspects, evaluate the snowpack and avoid slopes that have the structure of a stronger, denser slab on top of the buried PWL as shown in this photo.
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 >