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Observation: North Fork Provo R.

Observation Date
11/25/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Covington, Woodruff
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » North Fork Provo R.
Location Name or Route
Provo Canyon North Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Clear and calm. Small surface hoar now paints the snow surface; the low density post frontal snow is beginning to facet.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Good right-side-up skiing conditions over a supportable base. 24 hours of settlement improved conditions.
Sunny aspects dampened by the sun in the afternoon.
Mid-elevation shady aspects have 40-60cm HS.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Recent avalanches, heavy snowfall, and wind loading are red flags from the past three days. Northerly to perhaps northeasterly winds cranked up at the highest elevations on Saturday. Storm water amounts of 3.3" of water in the south fork and 2.8" in the north fork. Localized cracking and collapsing on the basal facets noted today above 8500' in northerly terrain. Structure is suspect and likely more dangerous at the higher elevations.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,000'
Comments
Photo corresponding to first profile. Basal facets in lower photo. Only 1cm of basal facets at this elevation; 5cm of old snow at 8500'.
2nd profile at 8500' north facing; photo/profile.
General coverage photos below -
For today, would generally have similar locator rose as the central Wasatch for persistent slab along with moderate for wind slabs in the alpine. Imagine for Monday, most if not all wind and new snow avalanches would have settled out.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable