Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Provo Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Monday - January 30, 2017 - 7:29am
bottom line

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE. The most dangerous problem at low and mid elevations is persistent slab avalanches but these are not an issue on all slopes. Where this problem exists, there's a good chance you can trigger a slide. At the highest elevations watch for wind slabs, and as the day heats, watch for wet loose avalanches on southerly slopes.
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current conditions

This morning temperatures are in the teens F at lower elevations, near freezing at 8000 ft, and in the 20's F at higher elevations. Westerly winds are blowing 5-10 mph. Slopes on the southern half of the compass got wet yesterday and should have an ice crust on them this morning. For a short summary of last week's weather go HERE.
recent activity

Yesterday, the only avalanches seen in the Provo area mountains were loose, wet avalanches. Near Park City at the head of Lambs Canyon, west of Murdock Peak, a skier unintentionally triggered an avalanche 2 ft deep and 125 ft wide (NE facing slope at 7600 ft). This avalanche broke on a buried layer of surface hoar. See photo below (M. Mooney) or click HERE for more photos. There was were similar avalanches on Thursday and Friday near Park City. These avalanches have mostly occurred on low to mid elevation slopes in seemingly benign terrain.
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

A layer of surface hoar or small faceted crystals near on an ice crust can produce persistent slab avalanches today 2-4 feet deep and several hundred feet wide today in specific terrain. Where? Unfortunately, slopes that harbor these layers are wind sheltered slopes that are not obvious avalanche terrain. They seem benign but possibly conceal a deadly layer beneath your feet. Fortunately, this layer has not been found to exists or be reactive in the Provo area mountains. It certainly exists but perhaps only in isolated locations.

The good news: Knowing if these layers exist on a slope is easy. Dig only 4 feet deep on a low angle slope at a similar aspect and elevation to one you hope to ski or ride. You may see an obvious stripe of surface hoar which is a bad sign. Or you may find an ice crust with small facets. Either way, doing a quick stability test like the ECT will help you find these layers because the column will cleanly fracture on them.

What if you don't find these layers? Many slopes are stable. If you don't find these layers, this avalanche problem probably isn't an issue.
Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Watch for fresh wind slabs. Today will be a great one to enjoy the sunshine and get into terrain at higher elevations, but in this terrain wind slabs will be your primary concern.
Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

Strong sunshine should cause more wet loose avalanches today. You'll know danger for this problem is increasing because the snow will become wet, and small wet slides will start occurring. Skiers saw several wet, loose slides yesterday at low elevations near Mt. Timpanogos that were large enough to bury someone or cause serious injury being such dense, heavy snow. See photo below (E. Maginnn)
weather

With a valley inversion, today is another great one to escape the haze and enjoy warm, sunny weather in the mountains if you are fortunate enough to have today off from work. Temperatures at 9000 ft should rise to near 40 degrees. Winds will blow from the WSW at 10-20 mph with some stronger gusts. Unfortunately, the inversion is supposed to be with us through at least Friday.
general announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out 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 request 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.

Backcountry Emergencies. It outlines your step-by-step method in the event of a winter backcountry incident.

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.

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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.