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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Mark Staples
Issued by Mark Staples on
Wednesday morning, March 17, 2021
Today the avalanche danger is LOW and avalanche conditions are generally safe. Small, wet loose avalanches may occur as the snow warms and becomes wet.

Even though avalanches today may be small, consider the terrain above and below you and assess the consequences of a slide.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Yesterday had mostly cloudy skies but periods with the sun appeared. High temperatures ranged from the mid 30s to low 40s F. Despite some impressive looking spring storms rolling though the area, only a trace to one inch of new snow fell yesterday afternoon.
This morning, temperatures are mostly in the mid to upper 20s F. Winds are blowing 5 mph gusting to 10 mph from the west and southwest and a bit stronger at the highest elevations.
Today's strong sunshine will help temperatures warm up quickly and rise into the low 40s F. Winds will remain light and will shift to the north and then back to the west and then to the southwest. A decent storm should arrive Friday night and could bring 4-6 inches of snow.
Recent Avalanches
There were some small wet loose avalanches that happened yesterday like the one below in West Monitor along the Park City ridgeline. (photo - Chester)
On Monday there was one slab of wind drifted snow triggered on Mill Canyon Peak on an upper elevation, southeast facing slope that broke 8 inches deep and 100 feet wide. Nobody was caught. (photo - Wasatch Powderbird Guides)

Find all observations and reported avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
As the snow surface warms and becomes wet, some loose wet avalanches may occur. These slides should be shallow and happen predictably as you notice the snow warming and producing more rollerballs and pinwheels tumbling downhill. They can happen naturally or be human triggered.
Terrain determines the consequences of an avalanche. On wide open slopes with a clean runout, small, wet loose avalanches may not bury you but can twist and injury a knee or cause similar injuries. In terrain traps like gullies and creek bottoms, they can pile up deep enough to bury a person. In steep exposed terrain, these slides can cause a fall and the consequences would depend on what's below you.
Additional Information
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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.