Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Sunday morning, February 1, 2026

The overall avalanche danger remains LOW, and normal caution is advised.

Today, at the highest elevations, you may encounter shallow slabs of wind-drifted snow in leeward terrain. You may also be able to trigger dry loose snow on northerly aspects.

Even a small dry loose sluff could gouge into older faceted snow, entraining more snow than expected and leaving larger debris piles.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Special Announcements

New essay by UAC Director Paige Pagnucco - Weak Snow: Today’s Surface, Tomorrow’s Avalanche Problem

Weather and Snow

This morning, skies are mostly clear, and a temperature inversion is in place, with trailhead temperatures in the upper 20s °F and ridgetops in the upper 30s °F. Winds have shifted more west, and even southwesterly in places, and are blowing 5–15 mph with gusts into the 20s. Along the highest ridgelines, winds are a bit stronger, blowing around 15–25 mph with gusts near 40 mph.

Today will be mostly sunny, with moderate southwest winds remaining elevated along the highest ridgelines, where gusts may reach 35 mph. Temperatures will warm into the upper 30s °F at upper elevations and the upper 40s °F down low. Overall, the longer-term weather outlook remains fairly grim, with not one but two blocking patterns setting up to deflect any potential storms. However, there are hints of a pattern shift in the second week of February, possibly closer to Valentine’s Day. For now, we will keep updating the models and hoping for a change.

Riding and travel conditions are much improved thanks to Wednesday night’s couple of inches of snow. It’s a good time to get out and explore.

❄️

The Week in Review is hot off the press!

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches reported from the Provo area backcountry.

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Location

Likelihood

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Description

While the danger is generally LOW, there are a few minor avalanche issues to consider, particularly in the higher-elevation bands today.

At the highest elevations, particularly on northeast through southeast facing slopes, you may encounter sensitive pockets of wind-drifted snow. These slabs are shallow and should show obvious signs of instability, such as shooting cracks or minor collapsing. With the elevated winds, these wind drifts will continue to grow in size. Ski cuts may be an effective mitigation tool.
Loose dry sluffs may gouge deeply into the old, weak surface snow, leaving deeper debris piles, especially in gullies or other confined terrain. These “facet” sluffs are slow but dense and may knock you over and drag you downslope.

The Provo area mountains didn't receive as much new dry snow, so shallow wet snow should be less of an issue during this prolonged period of high pressure. That said, temperatures are climbing into the mid-40s today, so shallow but longer-running wet loose sluffs may become possible on slick crusts on solar aspects if the snow surface becomes at all damp.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures