Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Provo Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Saturday - December 23, 2017 - 7:36am
bottom line

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE at the upper elevations with a few inches of new snow and westerly winds that are creating fresh wind slabs. The biggest danger is hitting rocks whether by getting caught in an avalanche or not.
special announcement

TONIGHT at Brighton in partnership with the Brighton Ski Patrol, we'll be giving a free avalanche awareness presentation focusing on why shallow snowpack winters, just like this year, are so dangerous. The talk begins a 5 p.m. in the Alpine Rose building on the 3rd floor.

Do you have all the gear you need? Check out the UAC’s online marketplace and auction for deals on resort passes, skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more. The auction closes at 6PM on December 28.
current conditions

As of 6 a.m. 3 inches of snow had fallen with more coming. Temperatures were in the low to mid 20s F. Winds at ridge tops were averaging 10-20 mph from the W with gusts of 40 mph.

The snowpack in the Provo area mountains remains very thin and most slopes below 9500 feet were bare ground early this week. This storm won't be enough snow to change that situation and ice climbing and hiking may be the current activities of choice in this area.

Week in Review

> Saturday Dec 16 the Wasatch mountains picked up a trace to 2" of very low-density snow.

> Quiet weather Sunday through Tuesday.

> Strong south and southwest winds on Wednesday ushered in a cold front that arrived late Wednesday afternoon. Storm totals by Thursday included:

  • Provo mountains : 3" of snow (0.3" water)
  • Central Wasatch : 4-9" of snow (0.3 - 0.4" water)
  • Ogden mountains : 2-5" of snow (0.05 - 0.25" water)
recent activity

No recent avalanches have been reported in the Provo area mountains.
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

With a few inche of new snow and winds strong enough to transport it, there are shallow wind slabs that can be triggered today. Simply look for and avoid fresh deposits of wind transported snow.
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

Old snow that became weak and faceted exist at the highest elevations on northerly facing slopes. This storm isn't enough to cause avalanches on this old snow, but it is capping it and just beginning to form a slab that may grow large enough in the future to cause avalanches.
weather

Snowfall will continue into this afternoon until a NW flow shuts off snowfall. Depending on the timing of the NW winds, an additional 3-6 inches of snow should fall. Temperatures may only warm a few degrees into the upper 20s F. Winds should continue blowing 10-20 mph from the SW with 30-40 mph gusts and may ease some when they shift to the NW.
general announcements

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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 occur.