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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Monday morning, April 3, 2023
Areas of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exist on all steep wind drifted slopes. This danger is most pronounced on north to southeasterly facing terrain. Anticipate changing conditions and a rising danger today. Human triggered avalanches are possible on all aspects and at all elevations.
Cornices are not to be trifled with. Give them a wide berth.
Soft snow and good turns can be found on slopes under 30 degrees.
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Weather and Snow
We're about to be engulfed by yet another slow, cold, moisture-laden Pacific storm.
As of 5am, snow totals are 1-3" in the Provo mountains.
Mountain temperatures are in the mid to upper-20s. Winds have been moderate to strong from the southwest but have just dropped off entirely.
For today, we'll see snowfall with generally light winds from the west and then northwest. Temps will be in the upper teens and low 20s. I expect 5-10" today...with snowfall amounts through Wednesday reaching 10-18"" While I don't see wind being too much of an issue today, they are forecast to increase this evening. Temps drop to the single digits overnight.
Recent Avalanches
No reports from of avalanche activity from the backcountry yesterday.
Check out all observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The winds have been blowing for hours now out of the southwest....up until now.
On my tour yesterday, I noted extensive transport of wind drifted snow at the mid and upper elevations. Although we didn't hear of any new soft slabs of wind drifted snow triggered in the backcountry yesterday, I can't rule them out. These drifts, however, will be camouflaged by today's new snow and any new snow avalanche may be enough of a crow-bar to trigger one of yesterday's wind slabs.
***I am not forecasting much wind for today, but if you do see more wind than expected, all bets are off - and you'll need to avoid all deposits of wind drifted snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The danger will be on the rise today with the new snowfall.
While I expect the new snow to bond reasonably well to the old snow surfaces, it may not matter that much when it snows one or two inches an hour. The highest snowfall rates are expected this morning through midday, but at-times heavy snowfall will continue this afternoon....through Wednesday morning. Note that with continued snowfall, the avalanche will get deeper, wider, and may even start step down into slow-to-heal weaknesses from the last storm cycle.
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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