Forecast - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Bo Torrey on
Wednesday morning, December 24, 2025

Avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind-drifted slopes above 9000 feet, where you could trigger a 1 to 2 foot deep slab avalanche on a buried persistent weak layer.

Avalanche danger is LOW elsewhere. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features, where warm temperatures and rain on snow can produce small, wet, loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Overnight, temperatures remained warm, coolling only into the 30s °F at most locations above 8000 feet. The wind blew from the south & southeast at 15-30 mph, with gusts into the 40s. No new snow was reported.

Today, temperatures will climb into the 40s °F as wind out of the south and southwest increases, gusting into the 50s. Light precipitation begins this afternoon with a very high rain/snow line (around 10,000 feet). Heavier precipitation is expected to move in overnight, potentially delivering 2 to 4 inches of heavy, dense snow by tomorrow morning.

Don't let low snowfall totals fool you; this storm is wet. We expect 0.5 to 1.0 inches of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). This adds significant weight to the snowpack and will increase the sensitivity of avalanche problems, even if it doesn’t look like a major storm.

Looking ahead (and not wanting to jinx it), another storm is lined up for Friday into Saturday that looks like a more classical, cold Utah storm.

Recent Avalanches

There were no reported avalanches yesterday in the Provo zone. Find all recent observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

In the Provo area, a dangerous structure persists on steep mid and upper elevation slopes where a layer of facets is buried near the ground. Strong southerly winds are drifting the limited snow available for transport, adding stress to these weak slopes.

Warm temperatures are also testing this setup, though the snowpack's exact response to the warmth remains uncertain. This is not our typical dry December snowpack. For now, approach any steep mid or upper elevation slope with caution and give a wide berth to steep slopes where this structure persists.

A poor, strong over weak snowpack structure, Nikki and Brooke observed near Pole Line Pass on Sunday.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Unseasonably warm temperatures and rain falling on snow may create loose wet avalanches. While these slides may be small, the heavy, wet debris can be dangerous in tight spots. Avoid terrain traps like road banks, creek beds, and gully walls where this heavy snow can pile up deeply and bury a person.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures