Forecast: Provo Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Provo Area Mountains

Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Friday morning, April 3, 2026

Due to the rapid and early melt-off, we've stopped issuing daily forecasts for the season. Intermittent updates will be issued through the spring as conditions warrant. We will continue publishing observations as they come in, so please keep submitting them when you're out and about.

With spring storms, new snow and wind-drifted snow avalanches are most prevalent during and just after the storm. Exercise caution in steep terrain.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Special Announcements

A new version the UAC's mobile app has been released with new features and improvements. Learn more and download the app HERE.

Weather and Snow

The Provo area mountains have picked up 2.5-3.0" of liquid precipitation with snowfall limited to the highest elevations. Winds have been moderate to strong from the southwest, west, and northwest. Avalanche conditions can be expected in the higher elevations as wind slabs were plentiful in the Salt Lake area mountains.

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.

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.

Glide avalanches occur regularly in spring as the entire snowpack slides slowly on the ground like a glacier until they suddenly release into a full-depth avalanche. These occur periodically on steep rock slabs and occasionally on steep grassy slopes. Notorious glide avalanche locations include Stairs Gulch or the rock slabs in Broads Fork. Avoid crossing under any slopes with cracks to the ground in the snowpack. Remember, they come down randomly, even 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.

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

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

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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