Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Provo Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Wednesday - December 16, 2015 - 7:31am
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today. Human triggered avalanches are likely on slopes 35 degrees and steeper that face west, north and east. THE AVALANCHE DANGER WILL BE ON THE RISE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS WITH MORE SNOW AND WIND IN THE FORECAST.




current conditions

Wow. I'm not the only one to note the high quality of yesterday's powder. "Haven't seen this in years" and "Too busy pillaging to take photos" were comments from others. Unfortunately, this bliss is overshadowed by a nasty weak layer which may prove to be deadly.

The wind has been really well behaved over the last few days. It did pick up a bit late Tuesday and was blowing and drifting snow a bit. Currently, the wind is from the northwest in the moderate speed category. We are only seeing gusts in the 30s along the highest peaks. Ridgetop temperatures are in the single digits this morning.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Things are not "hair-trigger" out there right now but the bullet is in the chamber. The snowpack is just creaking and groaning a little bit right now but it will start shouting at us soon. This is a bad situation that should be taken very seriously. The weak snow that formed earlier in the season is going to produce avalanches. We just need a little wind or a bit more of a load to change the surface snow into a more cohesive slab. Don't mess with this folks, this is the real deal.

For some more thoughts on this, HERE IS AN ADDENDUM TO TODAY'S FORECAST

weather

We'll see a chance for snow today with a better chance latter in the day. We'll see moderate speed winds from the west northwest increasing as the day goes on. Ridgetop temperatures should get into the teens today. We should see a good shot of low density snow tonight, perhaps 4 to 7 inches by Thursday morning.

general announcements

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.

To get help in an emergency (to launch a rescue) in the Wasatch, call 911.  Be prepared to give your GPS coordinates or the run name. Dispatchers have a copy of the Wasatch Backcountry Ski map.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, but no one is hurt and you do not need assistance, please notify the nearest ski area dispatch to avoid a needless response by rescue teams. Thanks.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort/PCMR Dispatch (435)615-1911

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

Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)

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DAWN PATROL Hotline updated daily by 5-530am - 888-999-4019 option 8.

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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/

Ski Utah mobile snow updates

To those skinning uphill at resorts:  it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel.  You can see the uphill travel policy for each resort here. IMPORTANT: Before skinning or hiking at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol.  Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

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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.