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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Tuesday morning, January 21, 2020
Localized areas of MODERATE exist in wind drifted terrain of the upper elevations and open bowls of the Provo mountains. Sluffing is still possible in very steep terrain. Cornices should be given a wide berth.
The Avalanche Conditions are much more dangerous in the Logan area mountains and the Western Uintas. Please consult their advisories if headed that way.
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Special Announcements
We are very sad to report an avalanche fatality from Saturday above Farmington Canyon. An 18 year old male snowmobiler was caught, fully buried and killed. Preliminary info available HERE. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends, family, rescuers, and everyone affected by this tragic accident.
Weather and Snow
Skies are mostly cloudy with mountain temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. The wind vanes shift indiscriminately between south-southeast and south-southwest, blowing 10-15mph with gusts to 30. 11,000' elevations have gusts to 45.
Sun, wind, and greenhousing have taken their toll on the snow surfaces in recent days, but one can still find joy in the wind and sun protected terrain.
Nikki and Irene were above Aspen Grove Sunday and their report is HERE>
Bo and Quinn were down on Box Elder on Sunday and their report is HERE>
If you're headed to Nebo, a field report is HERE>
For today, we may see a trace to an inch from a system passing to the south. Temps will be in the mid-30s down low, the upper 20s up high. Winds will be westerly at 10-15mph. A stronger system passes by to the north tonight through tomorrow, but spillover may offer 2-5" in the higher terrain. Ridging builds back in for late week into the early weekend with a somewhat active pattern setting up for early next week.
Recent Avalanches
None reported.
On Sunday in the Salt Lake area mountains, the third of a party of three, while traversing high along the Mill B South and Mineral Fork ridgeline, triggered and was briefly caught and carried in an estimated 12-18" deep and 100' wide soft slab avalanche. The initial avalanche in turn sympathetically triggered a similar one, estimated to be 400' wide...and perhaps another one or more along the ridgeline heading north. These avalanches are on steep west to southwest facing slopes at 10,200'.
The failure plane most likely involves a facet/crust combination formed Wednesday/Thursday during the quick window of high pressure and survived the punishing pre-frontal southwest winds.
I mention this because of the uncertain nature of this type of avalanche and few observations from the Provo mountains. I suspect this layering is limited in scope and distribution but backcountry skiers/riders should be aware of this event.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Shallow wind drifts may be present in the open bowls and off the high ridgelines with severe consequences possible in unforgiving terrain. These are generally localized to the upper elevation northerly aspects.
CORNICE: Several days of strong winds have created large and sensitive cornices along the exposed ridgelines. Large cornices often collapse and break much further back than expected, so be sure to give them a wide berth when traveling along the exposed ridgelines.
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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