Provo Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Evelyn Lees

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

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BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes facing northwest through east at mid and upper elevations, with pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger on those same slopes, especially those that have not avalanched yet. In addition, gusty northerly winds this afternoon will drift snow, increasing the avalanche danger to MODERATE on any steep, wind drifted slope, which will be most widespread on those facing south.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

A southerly track and unfavorable wind direction resulted in disappointing storm totals of 2 to 6 inches in the northern Utah mountains. Temperatures are in the teens to low 20’s this morning, and the northerly winds are averaging less than 15 mph, with gusts less than 30 mph. (The high ridgelines of the Ogden area mountains had speeds a bit stronger over the past 5 hours, up to 20-35 mph averages, with gusts into the 40’s.) The new snow is covering crusts on the sunny slopes and old tracks, hard wind drifts and settled powder on the shady slopes. In spite of the low snow numbers, it definitely upgraded the turning and riding conditions.


RECENT ACTIVITY

The only avalanche activity reported yesterday was a very shallow soft slab released by control work along the Park City ridgeline, which failed on buried surface hoar. Collapsing is still occurring on less traveled slopes.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The persistent weak layers aren’t going away anytime soon, so we’ll just have to deal. While there are only pockety areas where a slide can be triggered on the facets, it will probably be a steep slope that did not slide during the storm, facing northwest through east, at mid and upper elevations. If you do trigger one of these slides on facets, it will be ugly and dangerous, pulling out to the ground. With detective work, experienced and skilled travelers may be able to identify which slopes have slid or not, and avoid the slopes which haven’t slid or that have significantly reloaded. But if there’s any confusion, remain on slopes less steep than about 35 degrees, which are not adjacent to or below steeper slopes. Yesterday’s few inches of new snow significantly improved turning and riding conditions on these low angle, shady slopes.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 12 hours.

Shallow wind drifts and loose sluffs are the other concerns today. It will be possible to initiate shallow soft slabs on steeper slopes, especially where wind drifted. These drifts will become more widespread and sensitive later this afternoon, if the wind speeds increase as forecast. The northerly winds will drift snow mostly onto the southerly facing slopes, some with slick crusts beneath. Also be prepared for a few shallow sluffs on steeper slopes.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

The dregs of the mini storm system will move east of the area today, as high pressure builds in. Skies will be partly cloudy today, with occasion snow showers adding another trace to a couple inches of snow. High temperatures will be in the mid teens to low 20’s. The northerly winds will be light this morning, less than 15 mph, but increase this afternoon. Speeds will average 20 mph along the high ridges, with gusts to 50 by sunset. A cold, dry flow will be over the area through Friday, with lows near zero, and highs 10 to 20.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Discount Lift tickets: Ski Utah, Backcountry.com, Alta, Deer Valley, Park City, The Canyons, Wolf Mountain, Snowbasin, Beaver Mountain, Brighton, Sundance, and Solitude have donated a limited number of tickets for sale at discounted prices.

For the Wasatch Powderbird Guides schedule go to their blog

Dawn Patrol Forecast Hotline, updated by 05:30: call 888-999-4019, option 8,

Daily observations are frequently posted by 10 pm each evening.

You can get a free iPhone application from Canyon Sports to display the Bottom Line.

To get a daily avalanche advisory e-mail click HERE.

For a text only version click the upper left link under Search

For canyon closures call UDOT at (801) 975-4838

Send us your avalanche and snow observations. You can also call 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, or email to uac@utahavalanchecenter.org

Donate to your favorite non-profit – The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Brett Kobernik will update this forecast on Thursday morning. Thanks for calling.


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 occur.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.