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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Evelyn Lees
Issued by Evelyn Lees on
Friday morning, November 20, 2015

The avalanche danger is MODERATE today for triggering a wind drift, which then has the potential to step down to the ground. Avoid any steep slope with rounded, dense or hard wind drifts. These dangerous drifts will be most widespread on upper elevation slopes, especially those facing northerly through easterly.

Any slide you trigger could eventually break to the ground, resulting in a nasty, rough ride, as you get dragged through rocks and trees.

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Special Announcements

Most ski areas are closed to uphill traffic as they open or prepare to open. Check with each resort for their current uphill policies.

Weather and Snow

Temperatures actually warmed overnight, into the upper twenties to mid 30s, keeping the rain/snow line above about 7,500’. Snow totals north of I-80 have been about a foot in the Logan area mountains, with 4 to 6 inches of very dense snow falling at the higher elevations of the Ogden area mountains. South of I-80, snow so far has been limited to 1 to 3 inches of equally dense snow.

With the cold front finally pushing through northern Utah, temperatures are starting to drop, and the winds have shifted to the northwest and increased. Speeds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts to 40 mph are common. The highest peaks are gusting in the 50s.

The snow pack is still very shallow in the Provo area mountains, with only about a foot of snow a 8,000'. Packed roads and grassy slopes the best options for avoiding rocks and deadfall.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanche activity reported from the backcountry, though there were not many observations.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Today, there will be another round of wind drifts to identify and avoid, as the dense new snow is good slab building material. The wind direction has varied, and the drifts will be most widespread on upper elevation slopes facing northeast through southeast. But watch for drifts cross-loaded onto other aspects, around terrain features like rock bands and gully walls, and on mid elevation slopes.

Cracking of the snow, especially long, shooting cracks, are an indications you’re in wind-drifted terrain and need to stay on low angle slopes. Avoid travel on any steep slope with new or old wind drifts.

Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Our weakest snow is on the ground – sugary grains of loose, faceted snow. This weak snow will become more sensitive and easier to trigger anywhere it is loaded with new wind drifts. Any collapsing or whomphing noises are red flags that you are in an area where you could trigger a slide – on slope or even from a distance. This means back off the steep slopes and stay on gentle, low angle terrain. A slide triggered on this layer will break to the ground, and even a short ride will be a rough and rocky.

Additional Information

The cold front is through the Salt Lake area mountains and dropping south. Behind the front, temperatures are falling a few degrees and the winds have shifted to the northwest and increased. Winds speeds along the high ridgelines could average in the 40s with gusts to 60 mph into the afternoon, before decreasing this evening. In the mid elevation terrain, expect speeds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts to 40. The mountains south of I-80 could pick up a few more inches of snow this morning, but the storm is rapidly scooting to the east. Dry, sunny warm weather is expected through the weekend, with the next chance for snow midweek as a slow moving storm moves through Utah.

General Announcements

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

To get help in an emergency (to launch a rescue) in the Wasatch, call 911. Be prepared to give your GPS coordinates or the run name. Dispatchers have a copy of the Wasatch Backcountry Ski map.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, but no one is hurt and you do not need assistance, please notify the nearest ski area dispatch to avoid a needless response by rescue teams. Thanks.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort/PCMR Dispatch (435)615-1911

Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123).

Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)

EMAIL ADVISORY If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you will need to subscribe here.​

DAWN PATROL Hotline updated daily by 5-530am - 888-999-4019 option 8.

Twitter Updates for your mobile phone - DETAILS

UDOT canyon closures: LINK TO UDOT, or on Twitter, follow @UDOTavy, @CanyonAlerts or @AltaCentral

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day.

Lost or Found something in the backcountry? - http://nolofo.com/

Ski Utah mobile snow updates

To those skinning uphill at resorts: it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel. You can see the uphill travel policy for each resort here. IMPORTANT: Before skinning or hiking at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol. Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.

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