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Observation: Mary Ellen

Observation Date
4/18/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Provo » American Fork » Mary Ellen Gulch
Location Name or Route
Mary Ellen Gulch and Lower Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds were calm in the am and then picked up a bit out of the SE afternoon. Temperatures rose rapidly, and by 1100 it was in the 40's at 9500.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

30 % settlement in the past 24 hours with 8 inches of dense spring powder on all aspects before the sun affected aspects from NE through S, through NW. By the end of the day only NNW, N and NNE aspects above 9000 feet with slope angles of at least 30 degrees were still holding cold snow. At the highest elevations, this window may be a bit wider. Riding was good for April early in the day.

Low angle and flat terrain were dangerously grabby and slow in the mid afernoon.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Significant warming appeared to dampen the easterly aspects by 1030, and by noon the temperatures were in the low 40's. Wet loose avalanches were observed on all aspects at mid and upper elevations, yet their size and distribution were small and not widespread (D1). It appeared that the afternoon light winds may have limited the activity.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

See above.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Small (D1) loose dry avalanches were observed and easily triggered with slope cuts in very steep terrain mostly in the morning hours.

Of note, the storm slab sensitivities from Tuesday had settled out and were not an issue today.

Todays danger appeared to be moderate, and Wednesdays appears to remain the same with only concerns for additional wet loose in the upper elevations.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate