The Avalanche Danger is LOW today, with minor concerns of triggering loose snow sluffs or a few wind drifts, on shady, upper elevation slopes above about 9,500’.
Weather and SnowIt’s another ridiculously warm morning – temperatures in the Provo area mountains are generally in the mid 30s to low 40s, only dropping to below freezing above about 10,000’. Moderate southwesterly winds are blowing in the 20 to 25 mph range, with gusts in the 40’s across the high peaks.
If you hike to the upper elevations, the snowpack is probably a mix of loose snow and various crusts, and much less supportable than last weekend. We've had no observations from the snow at the upper elevations of the Provo area mountains, but assume it's like elsewhere - icy patches, breakable wind and sun crusts, and rocks that make it challenging to get to the few sweet spots of loose faceted snow.
Recent AvalanchesIt is getting easier to trigger sluffs in the weak surface snow – the largest yesterday, triggered in upper Snake Creek, ran about 200 vertical feet, was 15 feet wide and 6” deep, and just big enough to boss you around a bit if you were on skis, a board or snowshoes.
Today, expect a few small new drifts of wind-blown snow along the higher ridges that will be sensitive and easy to trigger on steep slopes. It will also be possible to trigger facet stuff large enough to push you around in the weak, sugary snow on the upper elevation northerly facing slopes.
There is NO Danger today, BUT if you are heading out early tomorrow, you will need to know how much it snowed.
Check our early morning hot line – 1-888-999-4019, option 8, which we try to have updated by around 5 am each morning, with our first information.
Any new snow we get overnight will not bond well to the old snow surfaces, and, combined with the winds, there could be some shallow, but very sensitive new snow soft slabs out there tomorrow.
A quick moving disturbance will bring a small shot of snow to the mountains tonight. Ahead of this, temperatures today will warm into the mid 30’s to low 40’s once again, and the southerly winds will average 20 to 25 mph, with gusts across the highest peaks in the 50s at time. Clouds will increase throughout the day, with light rain and snow showers starting as early as late afternoon. Tonight, we’re hoping for 3 to 6” of snow, with the heavier amounts to the north of I-80 and in areas favored by southwest flow. The rain/snow line may start as high as 9,000’, but should drop to around 7,000’. A second, colder front will cross the area Sunday night into Monday, with additional snow possible.
If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.
Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033)
Ogden – Snowbasin Patrol Dispatch (801-620-1017)
Provo – Sundance Patrol Dispatch (801-223-4150)
Dawn Patrol Forecast Hotline, updated by 05:30: 888-999-4019 option 8.
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UDOT canyon closures UDOT at (801) 975-4838
Wasatch Powderbird Guides does daily updates about where they'll be operating on this blog http://powderbird.blogspot.com/ .
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 or 800-662-4140, or email by clicking HERE
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This advisory is produced by the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. It describes only general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist. Specific terrain and route finding decisions should always be based on skills learned in a field-based avalanche class.
Brett will update this forecast tomorrow. Thanks for calling.
