Observation: Box Elder

Observation Date

2/5/2026

Observer Name

Torrey

Region

Provo » Box Elder

Location Name or Route

Deer Creek

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Light

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Strong north winds created a pencil-hard wind board above 8,500 feet, extending even into the trees. This crust may lead to a dangerous, counter-intuitive setup with future storms: wind-hardened upper slopes may actually support new snow better than mid-elevation protected terrain. Travel in typically 'safe,' sheltered 'lower' elevations may be more dangerous due to the weaker underlying snow surface.

4 inch thick, pencil-hard wind board

Firm wind board on a forested slope.

Easy to intiate small loose dry avalanches on steep, sheltered, mid-elevation, north-facing slopes.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

On my exit, late in the afternoon, I was able to trigger 2 slow-moving, size 1, wet loose avalanches in the isothermic snow on mid elevation east facing slopes.