Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Tuesday morning, February 25, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW. Watch for isolated pockets of wind slabs in the upper elevations. These shallow slabs will be more sensitive on north-facing aspects, where they rest atop weaker snow.
Remember a low avalanche danger, doesn’t mean “no avalanche danger”. Continue to evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
This morning, mountain temperatures are in the mid-teens F at trailheads and hovering near 10 F at ridgelines. Since late last night, the winds have been gradually decreasing, this morning they are northerly and averaging 0 - 8 mph with gusts up to 16 mph at mid-elevations. Yesterday's storm totals were 1 - 2 inches of snow (.02 inches of water).
Today, high pressure will build over the area bringing sunny and clear skies, temperatures in the upper-20s to low-30s F and decreasing winds. Winds will be northeasterly averaging 0-5 mph with gusts below 25 mph at mid-elevations. The upper elevations could see gusts up to 35 mph.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, a few isolated wind slabs were reported on upper elevation slopes during control work in the ski resorts.
No new avalanches reported in the Provo area backcountry.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
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 small pockets of recent-wind drifted snow in isolated terrain features, such as ridgelines and cross-loaded gullies. These wind drifts will be very small, as they only had a few inches of snow to move around, but with such strong winds, any snow that could be transported will have been transported. Any fresh wind slabs on the north aspects will be easier to trigger since it will be resting on weak recrystallizing powder. Avoid steep terrain features with obvious signs of wind-drifted snow.
A photo from Cardiac Ridge in the Central Wasatch of the shallow type of wind slabs you can expect to find today (Photo: M. White)
With a LOW danger, it is reasonable to venture into more radical terrain, but always consider the consequences of an avalanche. Even a very small avalanche can be deadly in certain terrain. 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
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.