Observation Date
11/17/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Chalk Creek
Location Name or Route
Pahvant Range Foothills- Chalk Creek
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cloudy with the high country socked in. Very light snow at the mid-elevations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
7" in town at 5100' yesterday in town. Some damp snow in town, dry above the valley floor.
12" above 6000' - settled depth, likely more before settlement. Snow remained dry on all aspects above 5500'.
Pine creek snotel site in the high country reporting over an inch of water and 14" new, currently a 22" HS.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No red flags at the mid elevations, snow fell on dirt. I only made it to 6500', breaking trail from 5200' at the valley floor. One set of atv tracks on the chalk creek road, looked like it got stuck a bit below 6000' due to deep snow.
red flag is based on what I saw in the tushers last week, a 4-5" thick layer of weak loose facets at the base of the snow pack. I wold speculate that there is hazard in areas of preexisting snow on high elevation northerly aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
With the lack of data in Southwest Utah, I think it is worth mentioning that the high elevation snowpack is similar to what I saw in the Wasatch this past weekend and with over an inch of water added to a weak underlaying snowpack, I would expect a considerable danger. I would guess that it will turn into a persistent slab issue.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #2 Comments
Normal early season caution is warranted due to the thin snowpack. I stuck to dirt road skiing today. This will apply to anywhere in Southwest Utah.
Comments
Photo, a different kind of competition in Fillmore, the start of the chalk creek road. Skis did prevail after 1000' when the snow got too deep for ATVs.
My danger rating is based on a worst case scenario for the upper elevations. Low in the low and mid elevations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
