A poor snowpack structure persists in the shady terrain of the mid- and upper elevations in the Provo area mountains. Here, you’ll find 1-2' of recent storm snow over about a foot of early season weak, sugary faceted snow. While recent field observations have shown signs of stabilization—such as no cracking or collapsing and improved stability tests within snow pits—the weak structure remains, and we are still less than a week out from the last natural avalanche in this area. As a result, caution is still advised in steep terrain.

This layering is slowly stabilizing, but it may take another day or two before the danger decreases. We need more data, confirmation, and consensus before we can confidently lower the danger to LOW.

The concern extends beyond just today. Once we move out of this high-pressure period and begin to see more snow or wind loading, those faceted layers are likely to become active again, significantly increasing avalanche danger.

For now, we can enjoy soft turns and sunshine, but it’s important to stay aware of where the snow is faceting and where the surface feels damp. Areas holding cold, faceted snow will pose the greatest risk when we transition back into a period of low pressure.