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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Mark Staples
Issued by Mark Staples on
Tuesday morning, April 14, 2020
Today avalanche conditions are generally safe and the avalanche danger is LOW. The greatest hazard is hard icy conditions that would make it difficult to stop if you fell.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Chapter 7 of the Low Danger Series - The Crossing
Weather and Snow
Hello winter! This morning mountain temperatures are in the teens F. Westerly winds this morning are blowing 3-7 mph and yesterday blew 15-25 mph. A little further north, upper elevations in Little Cottonwood Canyon had winds of 35-50 mph yesterday. A few locations may have been dusted by snow yesterday morning; otherwise, no snow fell.
Today will have mostly sunny skies with maybe a few clouds in the afternoon. Temperatures should warm into the upper 20s to low 30s F and winds should blow from the west-northwest at 5-15 mph at ridgetops. Sporadic snowfall the rest of the week should produce about 4 inches by Friday.
With such cold temperatures, all slopes are frozen solid this morning with a hard ice crust.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches have been reported
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Wet snow: This afternoon's strong sunshine will warm and soften the ice crusts on south and west aspects. With such a hard ice crust, I don't think there will be enough heat to create any loose wet avalanches. It should hopefully be just enough to soften the snow and improve riding conditions. The main red flag to watch for is if the snow all of a sudden become unsupportable and wet which will be your clue that wet avalanches may start occurring.
Slide-for-life: Hard icy conditions aren't an avalanche concern, but a hazard nonetheless in steep terrain where you wouldn't be able to stop if you fell.
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.

Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.

New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
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.