Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Greg Gagne
Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, January 31, 2020
The avalanche hazard is Low, with isolated pockets of wind drifts at the upper-most elevations.
Although cool temperatures and gusty winds should keep the snow surface cool, wet, loose activity is possible at low elevations and on steep southerly aspects.
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Weather and Snow
Currently, skies are clear and mountain temperatures are in the teens and low 20's F. After relaxing yesterday afternoon, winds have begun to pick up this morning. Winds are out of the west/northwest, averaging in the teens and low 20's mph, with likely stronger gusts at the upper elevations.
For today, you can expect generally clear skies with occasional passing high clouds. Temperatures will be in the 20's and low 30's. Winds will be out of west/northwest and remain gusty through at least mid-day, especially at the upper elevations. At the mid-elevations, winds will average in the teens with gusts in the 20's. Along upper elevations ridges, winds will average in the 20's mph, with gusts in the 30's and 40's.

Although centric to the Salt Lake mountains, our Week in Review - where will highlight significant snow and weather from this past week - is available HERE.
Recent Avalanches
No observations from the Provo-area mountains on Thursday. Further north in the Salt Lake mountains, a rider was caught and briefly carried on a southeast aspect on the south face of Mount Superior Thursday. Although the slide was not very large - 15" deep and 60' wide - it occurred in steep terrain and the rider was fortunate to avoid being carried further. (Observation)
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Location
Likelihood
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Description
The snowpack is generally stable and the avalanche hazard is Low. But risk is inherent in mountain travel, this includes:
- isolated pockets of sensitive wind drifts at the upper-most elevations;
- a chance of wet, loose activity at the low elevations, and on steep southerly aspects.
With warming temperatures forecasted for Saturday and Sunday, expect a rising hazard for wet activity this weekend.
Additional Information
Temperatures will warm Saturday ahead, with temperatures at 10,000' reaching 40 F. If you are planning an adventure tour for Saturday, be sure to plan accordingly for wet activity on steep southerly faces and low elevations. Fortunately, the warming is brief as a strong cold front arrives later on Sunday bringing periods of heavy snow and very cold temperatures early in the week. The first week of February currently looks active!
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.