Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik for
Sunday, March 8, 2015

Most of the terrain has a MODERATE avalanche danger but there is a CONSIDERABLE danger still on the northerly terrain where human triggered avalanches are likely. Most likely places are steep north facing terrain above 9000 feet with shallow depths where the underlying snow remains weak. Watch for wet activity with daytime heating.

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Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow

Surface conditions took a hit from the heat on Saturday with most slopes becoming damp aside from the steeper high elevation north aspects. Lots of rollerballs noted on slopes that warmed for the first time yesterday. If things cooperate, we could see some decent corn soon. Temperatures overnight remained fairly warm with ridgetop readings in the upper 20s and low 30s. Winds are fairly light from the northwest. Skies are clear.

Recent Avalanches

There was some wet acitivity reported from Saturday, most of it minor. One note from the Wasatch Powderbird Guides (thanks guys!) included a wet loose avalanche which did pop out a slab as it descended a southeast facing slope in Shingle Mill of the Provo region.

Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

I would still be very careful about getting onto steep northerly facing terrain in the Provo region. It had a very shallow pre-existing snowpack and received a large amount of snow and water weight during the last storm. I don't think I'd feel too comfortable just yet about getting onto many of my favorite north facing slopes in this area.

Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

After a number of melt-freeze cycles the last few days and with slightly cooler temperatures today, I don't expect wet activity to be more pronounced than on Saturday. It should be less. That said, pay attention!!!

Additional Information

High temperatures today should be slightly cooler than Saturday but we'll still see ridgetop highs in the mid 30s. We'll have mostly clear skies and light northwest wind. Monday looks similar then slightly warmer Tuesday and warmer yet Wednesday. We'll see a minor disturbance move through Wednesday into Thursday with slight chance for snow then the ridge moves back in and temperatures warm again into the weekend.

General Announcements

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, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

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), Canyons Resort Dispatch (435-615-3322)

Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123).

Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)

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UDOT canyon closures: LINK TO UDOT, or on Twitter, follow @UDOTavy, @CanyonAlerts or @AltaCentral

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day.

Lost or Found something in the backcountry? - http://nolofo.com/

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.