Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, February 7, 2020

The UAC has issued an AVALANCHE WARNING for the Provo mountains. The avalanche hazard is HIGH at the mid and upper elevations, and CONSIDERABLE at low elevations, where strong winds and heavy snowfall have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Wet avalanches are also possible at the lower elevations.

Avoid being on or underneath slopes any steeper than 30 degrees, and avoid avalanche runout zones. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended.

For those traveling north, the avalanche hazard is especially acute in Little Cottonwood Canyon, where the hazard may be reaching EXTREME.

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Avalanche Warning

IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MST THURSDAY TO 6 AM MST SATURDAY

FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN UTAH INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...UINTA MOUNTAINS

THE AVALANCHE DANGER WILL BECOME HIGH ON MANY SLOPES AT DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS AND ASPECTS.

HEAVY DENSE SNOW AND WINDS UP TO 100 MPH HAVE CREATED CREATED WIDESPREAD AREAS OF UNSTABLE SNOW. BOTH HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.

Special Announcements

Discounted lift tickets - Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, all proceeds from these ticket sales go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets here.

Looking to improve your avalanche skills? We are offering a Backcountry 101: Introduction to Avalanches class at Powder Mountain February 14-15.

Weather and Snow

Currently: Temperatures range throughout the 20's and low 30's F. Overnight, 2-6" of very dense fell. Strong winds out of the west/northwest. At the mid-elevations winds are averaging in the teens and 20's mph, with gusts in the 30's and 40's mph. At 11,000', winds have been averaging in the 40's and 50's mph, with gusts nearing 100 mph.

Today: Continued strong winds out of the west/northwest and periods of heavy snowfall, with temperatures in the 20's F. At the mid-elevations, winds will average in the 20's with gusts in the 30's and 40's mph. At the upper elevations, winds will average in the 40's with gusts in the 70's mph. Another 3-6" of very dense snowfall is expected throughout the day.

Although Salt Lake-centric, our Week in Review which highlights weather and avalanche activity over the past week can be found HERE.

Recent Avalanches

Further to the north, we have received reports this morning of "extensive natural avalanche" activity in upper Little Cottonwood Canyon, including major avalanche paths that have crossed the road.

A natural avalanche from NE Chute of Elk Point was reported. Wet avalanches occurred at lower elevations. In the Salt Lake mountains, very sensitive avalanche conditions were reported during the day on Thursday, with a natural avalanche cycle occurring overnight.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Very heavy and dense snowfall that began early Thursday morning fell on top of very light/weak snowfall from earlier this week, instantly creating a dangerous structure of a strong slab over weaker snow. Additional snowfall today will only further stress the snowpack.

Watch for signs of instability ("red flags") including avalanches, cracking (photo below), and collapsing.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Very strong winds out of the west/northwest at the mid and upper elevations will continue to create 1-3' deep wind drifts on all aspects. Recent and fresh wind drifts will be most pronounced at the upper elevations, but you are also likely to find them in mid-elevation terrain as well.

Although cracking is a sign of instability in wind-drifted snow, these dense drifts may not show their sensitivity so easily, and allow you to get well out onto a slope before fracturing widely.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Rain and warm temperatures have saturated the top few feet of the snowpack at the lower - and possibly some mid-elevations. Avoid steep-sided slopes and terrain traps. Also avoid avalanche runout zones where avalanches may start as dry snow avalanches at the upper elevations, and take out wet snow down lower.

Additional Information

Mountain Weather Briefing from NWS Office

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures