Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Dave Kelly on
Saturday morning, March 8, 2025

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on steep northwest-north-east facing mid and upper elevation slopes where it is likely that humans will trigger an avalanche failing on small grained facets associated with the old snow surface, which is marked by a dirt layer. There is also the chance that a human could trigger an avalanche failing on a layer of facets formed in December. These avalanches could be 2'-4' deep.

The avalanche danger is also CONSIDERABLE where we may see wet snow avalanches with the first hint of sun. Start early and get off of slopes in the sun as they start to heat up. These wet snow avalanches could be long, running well past the snowline and effecting travelers that are not in the start zones, such as hikers and ice climbers.

Roofs in mountain neighborhoods are likely to shed their snow today, check in on children playing or shovelers under roof lines.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Currently, under clear skies temperatures are in the teen's °F. Winds are blowing lightly from the north-east. There was a trace of new snow recorded as the storm exited the region last night. Snow totals for the most recent storm are anywhere from 2'-3' of snow and 2"-3.5" of water.

Today, look for clear skies with temperatures from 34-40°F and winds blowing lightly from the north at the lower elevations and 20 gusting to 25 MPH at the highest peaks.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday, we had no reports of avalanches from the Provo Region. Check out all avalanches and observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Over the last week we have had 2'-3' feet of snow. The start of this storm is marked by a layer of dirt that is harboring weak faceted snow. This layer is not yet settled out.

The other layer of concern is the same one we have been talking about since the Holidays. This layer of sugary faceted snow formed near the ground and has been the culprit in a number of avalanche fatalities in Utah this season. This layer near the ground will now be 2'-4' deep and any avalanche failing here would be large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. Slopes that are most likely to holding this layer are thinner, shallower, and have potentially already avalanched a couple of times this season (repeaters). The best way to find out if this layer exists is to take your probe out and check snow depths before committing to steep terrain.

Photo (Manship and Collet) showing the dirt layer now buried 2'-4' below the surface.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Today, with the full sun expect to see wet snow avalanches. These may entrain all the new storm snow running on the dirt interface. These avalanches can be managed with timing. Get off of steep slopes in the sun as they begin to warm up.

Roof slides are on my radar today. Pay close attention to children playing or shovelers near roof lines as many mountain neighborhoods have not yet had enough sun to shed the most recent storm snow and today will be the day.

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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