Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Sunday morning, March 15, 2020
Today, a MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all mid and upper elevation slopes. Wind drifts remain the primary concern and are most pronounced, but not isolated to, steep north to east-facing slopes where triggering both a hard or soft slab is possible.
A MODERATE danger also exists on all low and mid-elevation slopes as the day heats up and wet loose avalanches will become possible on these slopes.
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Moderate
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Special Announcements
We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.
Check your specific ski resort for uphill travel policies during the upcoming closures.
Weather and Snow
This morning mountain temperatures are in the low 40s F at trailheads and low 30s F at ridgelines. Winds are currently south southwesterly and cranking, averaging 20-40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph at mid-elevation ridgelines. At upper elevations winds are averaging 30-40 mph.
In the last 24 hours, most parts of the Wasatch got 1-4 inches of new snow (.02-.44" SWE).
Today will be partly cloudy into the evening. Temperatures will be the upper-50s F at trailheads and mid-40s F at ridgelines. Winds will continue to crank from the southwest, averaging 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph at mid-elevations and gusts up to 85 mph at upper elevations.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday no new avalanches reported in the Provo area mountains.

Ski areas reported sensitive slabs of wind drifted snow on leeward slopes.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Over the last two days, winds have remained strong enough to drift snow, with gusts near 80 mph at the highest of ridgelines. Today these drifts will be most widespread on north through east-facing slopes, especially at the highest most elevations. However, sustained high winds can deposit snow around terrain features on almost any aspect, called cross-loading. For this reason, I would expect to find sensitive slabs of wind drifted snow at all upper and mid-elevation slopes, especially along with terrain features such as ridgelines, sub ridges, and gullies.
While these winds don't have a ton of new snow to work with, such strong winds today will continue to form both soft and hard slab avalanches in upper elevation wind drifted terrain. As the winds continue to blow, these slabs will become more firm and cohesive. This can allow you to travel out farther onto the slope before it breaks, and can fail larger and wider than expected. Approach each new drift with caution.
Today continue to look for slopes with any signs of wind drifted snow, such as cracking, hollow noises, and pillow-shaped snow and avoiding those slopes.

Travel Advice: Avoid wind drifted terrain and avoid the problem, look for mid-elevation wind-sheltered terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Today's warm temperatures, above 50 F in the Provo mountains, will cause yesterday's new snow to get wet. This wet snow could produce small, loose wet avalanches. A few could be bigger if they entrain more snow as they roll downhill.
These types of avalanches are mostly predictable and start occurring as the snow gets more and more wet from warm air temperatures. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels rolling downhill and getting bigger as a sign that wet loose avalanches could start occurring.
General Announcements
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.