Observation: Provo

Observation Date
3/13/2013
Observer Name
Primomo/Nalli
Region
Provo
Location Name or Route
Slide Canyon, Timp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snowpack is in the process of transitioning from a dry to a wet regime on all but high N. Percolation channels have been found recently on E-S-W draining free water to the ground. Also noticed many new glide cracks starting to form in unusual places as well as the usual places.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Widespread WL cycle on NE-SE aspects to D2 (terrain dependant), running long and gouging into older layers on NE and E below 8500ft. These were starting as high as 10500ft on SE w/ski initiation.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The question is: Will the upper or mid-pack faceted layers (mid February and early January, respectively) that have remained dormant for so long begin to act up during this transition?
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
35°
Coordinates