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Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Thursday morning, April 17, 2025
Thank you for a great season!
Regular avalanche forecasts have ended. This most recent update is from Thursday, April 17, 2025. We will be issuing intermittent updates through May 1st. You can submit observations and avalanches HERE, and check out the most recent observations and avalanches HERE.
During the spring, there are typically three different avalanche problems:
  • Wet Snow: Wet loose avalanches, wet slab avalanches, roof slides, and glide avalanches
  • New Snow: New storm snow instabilities; soft slab avalanches and loose dry avalanches
  • Wind Drifted Snow: Wind slabs; soft or hard drifts of wind-blown snow
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
If you are looking to travel uphill at the ski areas then check out the UAC Uphill Travel Policy page before heading out as many areas are still operating.
Researchers Sara Boilen and Ian McCammon are developing an open-source tool to help individuals mitigate risk in avalanche terrain. The project's first stage involves interviewing backcountry recreationalists who have been traveling in avalanche terrain for at least one season. All participants will be entered to win prizes. Please encourage taking 1-2 minutes to fill out their initial survey. Link HERE
Weather and Snow
A cold Pacific trough will move through today and tomorrow, bringing snowfall to the Wasatch. As of 6am, the Provo mountains have received little to no precipitation. Frontal passage moves through late morning to midday accompanied by heavier snowfall rates and much cooler temps. By afternoon, temps will drop to the mid-teens up high and the mid-20s down low. Winds, currently moderate from the southwest, will veer clockwise to the west-northwest. Periods of snowfall are expected through Friday with 3-6" possible in the higher elevations. I would expect to see snowfall and very light accumulation in the valleys by tonight into Friday. Temps warm through the weekend but the overall weather pattern looks unsettled for the foreseeable future.
Click HERE to get to our weather page for up-to-date weather station data that will help with planning your tour based on new snow, temperature, wind speed and direction.
Our partners at the National Weather Service put out a weather discussion HERE and the mountain weather forecast will continue to be updated twice a day through the first week of May.
Recent Avalanches
We will continue to post avalanches and observations. You can submit what you're seeing HERE, and check out all recent avalanches and observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
When cold, dry snow becomes wet for the first time, it almost always means wet sluffs (loose snow that fans outward as it descends).
Larger wet slab avalanches can happen when melt water percolates through a layered, winter snowpack for the first time especially after multiple days of warm temperatures combined with no refreeze at night.
Warning signs may include:
  • Rollerballs (pinwheels) in new snow that is getting wet for the first time
  • Natural or human triggered wet sluffs
  • Small sluffs fanning out into larger slides or running long distances
  • Cornices breaking off
These signs mean it's time to head home or change to an aspect with cooler snow. Remember, even "smaller" slides can be dangerous in high-consequence terrain, such as above a terrain trap, trees, rocks, cliffs, or a long, large avalanche path.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
We almost always get winter-like snow storms well in the spring. Treat each storm just like you would in winter. Avalanches can occur within the new snow typically from 1) low-density layers deposited during the storm, 2) high precipitation intensity during a storm, and 3) from wind slabs created during the storm.
It's easy to test the new snow as you travel by jumping on small test slopes to see if they avalanche or dig down with your hand to see how well the new snow is bonding. Snow can change dramatically in both space and time, so never let your guard down. Avoid any steep slope with recent wind deposits.
Practice good backcountry protocol:
  • Check your gear before every tour, and make sure each person has a working transceiver, shovel, and probe before entering avalanche terrain
  • Only expose one person to a steep slope at a time
  • Never travel above other people
Avalanche Problem #3
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Wind can rapidly load snow onto steep slopes, making those slopes more prone to avalanching. Avoid slopes greater than 30° in steepness if you see signs of wind-drifted snow, such as rounded and pillowy features, and shooting cracks. In some cases, wind-drifts can sound hollow like a drum.
General Announcements
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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