Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Wednesday morning, January 22, 2025

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all upper-elevation slopes. After 24 hours of elevated winds and soft snow available for transport, fresh wind drifts may be found on all aspects and sub-features that are typically wind-protected.

Rounded pillows of snow that crack or collapse upon approach are clear signs that the wind-drifts are sensitive and should be approached with caution.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Special Announcements

Join the UAC at Deer Valley on January 30th for the 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball Gala. Former Director of the Utah Avalanche Center, Bruce Tremper will deliver the keynote address.

Weather and Snow

Under clear skies, temperatures have climbed above zero for the first time in a while, with most trailheads ranging between 15-20°F. Upper-elevation weather stations are still in the single digits. Winds are coming from the northwest, averaging in the teens, with gusts into the 20s at mid-elevations and gusts into the 50s at upper elevations. Peak winds exceeded 55 mph over the last 24 hours.

Today, expect mostly clear skies with temperatures rising into the mid-20s °F. Winds at mid-elevations will be from the west-northwest at 5-10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. At upper elevations, winds will continue from the northwest, sustained at 30 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph, tapering throughout the day.

Even with extremely cold air temperatures, some south- and west-facing aspects may develop a slight melt-freeze crust just below the surface. In most locations, this won't affect sliding conditions, but it’s a unique occurrence and worth noting if still present before our next storm.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday, we had no reports of avalanches to the UAC from the Provo Region. We had several great observations from the backcountry and you can read all observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Overnight, northwesterly winds gusted over 55 mph. With such strong winds, sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow are likely on all upper-elevation slopes:

Wind drifts will appear pillowy, rounded, and will often be found on the windward sides of ridgelines, gullies, and terrain features.
Cornices on ridgelines indicate wind-loaded slopes below, which will be particularly sensitive today.
Cracking and collapsing in the snow are clear warning signs of unstable wind-drifted snow.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Avalanches 1'-3' deep and up to 100' wide are most likely in thin, rocky zones, gullies, or slopes that have previously avalanched and reloaded with wind-drifted snow. Areas receiving additional wind loading are especially suspect.

While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is decreasing, this remains a low-probability, high-consequence problem. The persistent weak layers are still present when you dig in the snow, and this layer could come back to life with new snow or wind in the coming days or weeks.

The low and mid elevation terrain in the Provo Area Region is thin, it has seen less snow than its northern neighbors and weak snow is widespread, see Drew's Observation from earlier this week.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures