Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Provo Area Mountains Issued by Trent Meisenheimer for Tuesday - March 27, 2018 - 7:13am
bottom line

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE for wet loose avalanches on all steep east through west facing terrain. You'll find an MODERATE danger for deep slabs at upper elevation northwest through east facing terrain. LOW danger elsewhere.

Loose dry avalanches, and shallow wind slabs can be triggered today, especially at the upper elevation northerly facing terrain. Even a small slide is serious if a ride would carry you off a cliff, into trees or down a long, icy slope.
special announcement

Only 1 more week to support the UAC when you shop at Whole Foods. The Whole Foods Bag Donation ends March 31. When you bring your own bags to Whole Foods in Sugar House, Trolley Square, and Cottonwood Heights you can choose to have the UAC be the recipient of your 10 cent bag credit.

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.
current conditions

This morning it's clear, cold and crisp - with current mountain temperatures in the teens F°. Winds are from the north and averaging 10-15 mph gusting into the 20's at upper elevations. The last few snowflakes fell yesterday afternoon, leaving behind a fairly uniform 2-6" of new snow in the Provo area mountains.

There is a supportable crust beneath the new snow on most all aspects and elevations. The icy crusts may not soften for the next few days, so be prepared for hard, “slide for life” conditions on many aspects in steep terrain.
recent activity

No new avalanches were reported yesterday.

Recent Provo observations:

03/24/2018 Observation: UFO Bowls Provo region Hardesty, Wilson

03/23/2018 Avalanche: Slide Canyon Provo region Woody

03/22/2018 Avalanche: Cascade Cirque Provo region Woody
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

The light, cold, dry snow will see the strong March sun for the first time today ~ with 2-6" of new snow sitting on a very slick and uniform hard layer, the loose wet snow will likely run fast and far - piling up deeply in tight chutes and gulleys. If you are going to be in steep southerly facing terrain, be mindful of whats above and below you. If the snow becomes damp or you start seeing rollerballs shedding off of cliffs or rocks bands, it's time to get out of there.
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

Long running sluffs on sustained slopes steeper than 35°, and shallow wind slabs can be triggered today, especially at the upper elevation northerly facing terrain. While these slides would be shallow, the terrain you are in will make a difference. Even a small slide is serious if a ride would carry you off a cliff, into trees or down a long, icy slope.
Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

At upper elevations it is still possible to trigger an avalanche breaking on a deeper weak facet layer. Slopes with a shallower snow pack are most suspect – including those that have slid one or more times this year or are steep and rocky. It’s a low probability of triggering a slide, but high consequences if you do.

The snowpack in the Provo area mountains is much weaker than it is just a little further north. Friday's avalanche triggered by UDOT is a red flag that large avalanches are still possible.

Wind slab? Deep slab? Drew Hardesty photo of natural avalanche with wide propagation below Cascade Cirque ridgeline
weather

Glorious mountain weather is on tap for today - clear, calm and sunny. Mountain temperatures will top out in the mid 30's at 9,000'. Winds will remain from the north and should be well behaved with speeds in the 5-15 mph range at upper elevations.

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.