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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Saturday morning, March 7, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW. The two things to watch for today are (2) small, loose wet avalanches will be possible on aspects facing east, south, and west, as well as low and mid-elevation northerly slopes, especially mid-day with peak temperatures (2) small pockets of fresh wind drifts may be found along upper elevation ridges.
With a no overnight refreeze and warm temperatures the avalanche danger may rise to MODERATE on some steeper solar slopes mid-day. Good timing and trip planning are important. Consider avalanche runout zones.
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Weather and Snow
This morning, skies are partly cloudy and temperatures are in the mid-40s F at trailheads and upper-30s F at ridgelines. Winds are southwesterly averaging 5-20 mph at most elevations, with gusts up to 27 mph. At upper elevations, winds are averaging in the low 20s with gusts up to 33 mph
Today, skies will be mostly cloudy and temperatures will rise to the low 50ss at trailheads and mid 40s at ridgelines. Cloud cover will continue to increase throughout the day, and southwesterly winds will increase as well. The winds will average 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph at mid-elevations and gusts up to 60 mph at upper elevations
Tonight, a rather weak weather system will move through the area and could bring 1-3 inches of snow for the Provo area mountains.
Recent Avalanches
One small wet-loose avalanche was reported on Miller Hill in American Fork Canyon.
You can find the full observation HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Description
Today, the overall avalanche danger is LOW. This means that human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, but small avalanches in isolated areas are possible.
Today I would watch for:
1. Wet snow - Last night there was no overnight freeze. The increased cloud cover and winds should keep the snow surface cooler but as the day heats up and the snow gets wet, you should be able to trigger small loose wet avalanches. Pay attention for pinwheeling, rollerballs and small loose wet avalanches as these are often a precursor of natural wet-snow activity. These usually start at your feet and fan out below you. HOWEVER, watch out for these slides happening naturally especially if you are in a gully or any confined terrain where a small one could pile up deeply.
2. Wind drifted snow - Increased winds from the southwest yesterday into this morning may have transported some lingering dry snow and created small pockets of recent-wind drifted snow in isolated terrain features, such as ridgelines and cross-loaded gullies. Avoid terrain features with obvious signs of wind-drifted snow.
Continue to maintain safe travel habits; this means exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain and having someone watch them from a safe location.
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.
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