Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
11/30/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Provo » Snake Creek
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek Canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Early morning partial clearing gave way to increasing cloud cover by noon with obscured skies by mid to late afternoon. Periods of S3 snow fall (graupel and mixed forms from 1330. High end moderate winds were out of the WNW and moderate wind blown and or transport was observed in the upper elevation exposed terrain. Tracks were getting filled in rapidly during these episodes.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Excellent riding on moderately dense new snow/powder. No inversion was noted, yet hand shears indicated a mostly unreactive density change 13 cm down in the new snow. New snow in the past 48 hours added up to 28 cm with another 10 during the daytime hours. Of note the grauple that fell in the initial part of this latest event 48 hours ago still appears to be allowing for moderate to hard shears.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Significant poor snowpack structure not evident on the SSE, E and SSW aspects in pits, yet once off these aspects the aforementioned persistent weak layers noted in all other observations was observed. HS in the upper reaches of Snake Creek was 100 cm to 120 cm. In this limited area traveled, collapsing and cracking were less evident than on previous tours this week in the LCC and BCC. Wind loading noted above.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Despite no naturals and or human triggered avalanches observed (and this may have as much to do with the poor visibility as the conservative choices of terrain) other observations and hasty pits on off aspects indicate this problem is still number one. And, conservative travel still recommended in and under areas of steep terrain that are obviously housing buried facets. Additional snow and the forecast for substantial westerly winds over the next 24 hours may bring about another round of natural avalanches overnight and into the morning hours.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Along with the above mentioned problem, the aforementioned winds will be loading leeward slopes in mid and upper elevation, and there is ample snow available for transport.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate