UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Saturday morning, November 20, 2021
Today, the snowpack is generally stable and avalanches are unlikely. However, with a few inches of new snow and elevated northwesterly winds, shallow new snow avalanches, as well as small slabs of wind drifted snow will be something to watch out for.
A few things to remember:
  • Triggering any avalanche regardless of its size can produce serious trauma even if it doesn't bury you because the snowpack is so thin.
  • Hitting rocks and stumps is a real danger. Don't end your season before it starts with an injury from hitting one of these obstacles.
  • Early season avalanches are a real possibility. It doesn't matter if you are hiking, hunting, skiing, etc., be prepared with the correct rescue gear and a partner. Many people have died during early season snowstorms.
  • Ski resorts all have different uphill travel policies. These closed resorts that allow uphill travel can be great places to get in a little skiing especially in you know of a rock-free slope, but it should be treated as backcountry terrain.
We will be issuing intermittent updates and publishing backcountry observations as they arrive. When we begin regular forecasts, we will begin issuing avalanche danger ratings.
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Early season is a great time to be thinking about increasing your avalanche education - Check all the upcoming education HERE.
Weather and Snow
This morning, skies are mostly cloudy with a few final flakes falling. Mountain temperatures are currently in the upper teens F the to mid-twenties. Over the last 12 hours, the west-northwesterly winds have averaged 10-20 mph at mid-elevations, with some gusts above 50 mph at the uppermost elevation. Snow totals for the area-averaged 1-2 inches (.10-.20" h2o).
Today, skies will begin to clear and the light snow showers will gradually taper off into the afternoon. Very little additional accumulation is expected. As the skies clear, temperatures should climb into the upper 20s F and low 30s. Winds will be southwesterly before becoming westerly and averaging 5-15 mph at mid-elevations, and 15-25 at upper elevations.
Looking ahead, after this weak system clears high pressure should begin to build over the area tonight bringing drier and more stable conditions for the weak to come.
Yesterday, the entire forecast team got out in Upper Little Cottonwood Canyon. Right now we are seeing a wide variety of snow surfaces, and layering within the snowpack. With dry weather on the horizon this complex, yet shallow snowpack may begin to weaken under the cold/clear skies through a process known as “faceting”. While this wouldn't immediately be a concern, once we get a large load of snow on top of it, the weak faceted snow would become a weak layer.
This upcoming period of dry weather will be a great opportunity to take note and begin mapping the variability and surfaces that are currently covering the range, as that will soon enough become the base of our snowpack for the season.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanche activity has been reported. We have received several observations from the backcountry and this is a great way to stay informed on any recent avalanche activity and current snowpack conditions.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The current snowpack is generally stable and triggering and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, but small avalanches in isolated areas are still possible.
  • With 2-4" of new snow overnight, we could see a few shallow dry loose avalanches in upper elevation terrain where the eldest snow lingers.
  • With the elevated Northwesterly winds overnight, and into today you may be able to find an isolated pocket of wind-drifted snow in exposed, upper elevation terrain. Pay attention to any signs of wind drifted snow such as rounded or pillow-shaped features.
The main hazards are rocks and other obstacles that aren't covered or barely covered by the thin snowpack. Remember, even a small avalanche can be deadly in consequential terrain.
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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