Observation Date
12/31/2014
Observer Name
Kobernik
Region
Provo » American Fork
Location Name or Route
Dry Fork/Ant Knolls/Miller Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds were well behaved in the areas I traveled. Stronger gusts were apparent along the higher peaks.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Stayed on south facing slopes which provided excellent riding conditions. Minor wind damage along some east facing ridgelines.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
I went down to specifically see what the wind was doing. Lots of transport happening from Lone Peak through Chipman, Box Elder, Timpanogos. I looked with binoculars on the approach to American Fork and could see lots of wind damage and drifting. There was also some noticable wind damage and snow transport happening along the Salt Lake Twins once I climbed out of Tibble Fork.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
New drifts on west aspects in the windy terrain is obviously a significant concern right now. Snow that's landing on shallow west aspects that's holding faceted snow is even more of a concern. I was generally below 9800' today and was able to avoid wind damaged snow. Luckily, not everything got damaged by the wind.....yet.
Hard to pinpoint the overall avalanche danger. Areas where I traveled today mostly out of the wind were only in the MODERATE range. However, the areas I described where lots of wind transport was happening are in the CONSIDERABLE range. Almost have to rate based on the windy terrain which puts things at CONSIDERABLE.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
