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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Tuesday morning, November 26, 2019
Most terrain has LOW avalanche danger. Pockets of shallow wind slab may exist on some slopes. These are most pronounced on steep northerly to easterly facing terrain but patchy and likely poorly connected. Remember that risk is inherent in mountain travel.
Outlook: the outlook is not good for the rest of the week as the danger may reach HIGH in the coming days. Please spread the word to friends and neighbors who may be unaware.
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Avalanche Watch
IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MST THIS MORNING TO 6 AM MST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN WASATCH RANGE, INCLUDING THE WESTERN UINTAS.
THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS EXPECTED TO RISE TO HIGH WITH THE FORECAST HEAVY SNOW AND WIND.
DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES. AVALANCHES MAY BE TRIGGERED FROM A DISTANCE OR FROM BENEATH STEEP SLOPES.
Special Announcements
Terrain in unopened resorts must be treated as backcountry.
The First Annual Statewide Avalanche Awareness Week is December 2-7. We have a week full of fun and educational events planned. Check out the schedule here.
Click on the Education menu on our webpage for a full list of classes from the UAC and other providers. Check out the Know Before You Go eLearning program for free, online, avalanche classes.
Weather and Snow
Skies are partly cloudy with temperatures in the low teens. Winds are generally light but for the highest elevations where they blow 25-30mph. The cold front favored upper Little Cottonwood with nearly a foot. The Provo mountains picked up a trace to 2" but will be favored with the impending storm where up to 2' of snow can't be ruled out. For today, we'll have increasing clouds, light backing winds, and temps in the upper 20s. Snow depths are 10-18" up high.
Recent Avalanches
None reported.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Isolated upper elevation terrain may have fresh wind drifts on weak pre-existing snow. This is relegated to steep northwest to east facing slopes but pockety in nature. Approach any wind drifts with caution.
Additional Information
Looking down the road, expected heavy dense snowfall with strong southerly winds will not only be too much for yesterday's low density snow as a failure plane, but the old weak facets and crusts from the early storms. I expect probably more than one natural avalanche cycle this Thanksgiving week. The solution will be to choose terrain that did not harbor old snow (southeast to south to some westerly aspects) or to choose low angle terrain with nothing steeper above.
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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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