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Observation: Southwest

Observation Date
10/30/2017
Observer Name
toddeo
Region
Southwest
Location Name or Route
General Ob SW Utah
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Weather Comments
Warm and dry.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Potential Poor Snowpack Submitting an early season ob based on looking at current snow on the I-15 Corridor from Cedar City to Provo this week. There is likely enough snow on high north aspects to raise some concern with a potential pattern change coming. Most of the SW Utah ranges have snow on high elevation northerly aspects above 9,500 feet or so.
Comments

Photo below is from the Spanish Fork/ Salam area, this seems to be the sweet spot. Nebo was similar. Enough coverage to warrant concern.

Other ranges going north to south:

Pahavnts, patchy coverage above 9,500. Likely enough snow on an isolated basis to cause concern.

Tushers, patchy coverage, last week reports from hunters was that much of the snow was icy. The elk were using it to stay cool in their winter coats.

Brianhead - Patchy snow in cool shady places. Folks are still biking in the Navajo Lake area. Brianhed Peak looked to have less snow than the ranges to the north.

I always try to get a handle on early season coverage before winter starts.

Also a good reminder to check the gear and do some pre-season beacon drills.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None