Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Wednesday morning, April 2, 2025

Today, MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all aspects at upper elevations, where human-triggered avalanches in new or wind-drifted snow are possible in steep terrain. While new snow instabilities should settle throughout the day, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche within the new snow will be highest early this morning. Avalanche danger will decrease as you lose elevation and move out of the wind zone.

With any hint of April sun, there is a chance of wet avalanches on low-elevation or southerly-facing terrain. Pay attention to changing conditions, and if the sun comes out, it's time to change aspects.

Practice good travel techniques and limit exposure—only one person on steep terrain at a time.

Low

Moderate

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High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Currently, skies are partly cloudy, with trace amounts to 1 inch of new snow since yesterday evening, bringing storm totals to between 2-6 inches. Trailhead temperatures are in the upper teens °F, while the highest peaks are in the low teens °F. Winds at mid-elevation ridgelines have shifted to the west, blowing in the single digits and gusting into the teens with the overnight gusts reaching close to 40 MPH.

Today, skies will be mostly overcast with occasional snow showers. Temperatures will rise into the mid and upper 30s °F, with winds from the northwest at 5-10 MPH, gusting to 20 MPH at lower ridgelines. At the highest ridgelines, winds will be 5-15 MPH, gusting to 20 MPH. Expect an additional trace amount of snow to 1" by 5 PM, with showers tapering off later tonight.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches were reported from the Provo area backcountry.

Check out all recent avalanches and observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

With plenty of new snow available for transport and overnight gusts reaching up to 40 mph, one can expect to find soft wind drifts in mid and upper elevation terrain, where human-triggered avalanches will be possible. Look for and avoid pillowy wind features, as well as steep slopes showing signs of wind loading, like cracking in the new snow.

These drifts will be on the downwind side of ridges and gullies, so stay back from sensitive new cornices along ridgelines. A cornice collapse could trigger a new or wind-drifted snow avalanche.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

As drier weather moves in, the new snow should begin to settle quickly. However, storm totals remain high, and temperatures are still low this morning. As a result, sluffing or soft slab avalanches involving the new snow remain possible on all steep slopes outside of wind-affected terrain.

Now that it's April, even brief sunshine can rapidly heat the snow, turning dry loose avalanches into wet loose slides. Lower-elevation and south-facing slopes, along with mountain roofs, will be most affected—signs like roller balls, dripping water, or sinking into soft snow mean it's time to move to higher, colder terrain.

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

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