UTAH COUNTY, Utah - A massive avalanche fell east of Provo Wednesday morning, in plain view of many who were on their way to work.
The snow fell down the face of the Cascade mountain ridge around 8 a.m. The Utah Avalanche Center reported the snow slid about 5,000 feet down one of the chutes into the Squaw Peak area.
“When it hit, you could just see, it looked like an A-bomb went off. Just all the snow, dust coming up,” said Colby Thomas, who saw the avalanche on his way to work.
Thomas said he’s seen small slides in the mountains above Provo, but never one this big. The Squaw Peak area is still very remote, so there was no danger to people or buildings, but the very visible avalanche is serving as a reminder of the power of mother nature.
“Numerous natural avalanches have been occurring since Monday night,” said Utah Avalanche Center forecaster Brett Kobernik. “All day yesterday, last night, more reports of up in Little Cottonwood Canyon."
Avalanche danger is still high across the Wasatch Front, and Kobernik said that’s likely to continue for the rest of the week. He said people need to take extra caution if they’re heading into back-country areas.
“What folks need to do is check the avalanche advisory each day before they head out into the mountains, so they have some information prior to getting out there,” said Kobernik.
Avalanche warnings can be found on the Utah Avalanche Center's website.
