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Observation: Beaver Dam

Observation Date
12/23/2015
Observer Name
pierce
Region
Provo » Payson Canyon » Beaver Dam
Location Name or Route
Beaver Dam/ Payson canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Low vis. clouds, snowing with wind transporting snow. We couldn't see any of the upper areas today. The sky cleared briefly then clouds filled back in. 24 hour temps 16F-23F.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
We only picked up 8" from the same storm that hammered Provo area mtns. Snotel numbers at 8000' showed only 5" last night. I didn't believe it. The wind is transporting snow at all elevations making for a dense wind layer, (good skiing). Some large drifts are forming along the road. I expect a lot of new cornice formation today but we could only see 100-200 yards for most of our day. The new snow is sitting on top of last weeks 14"-18". The whole pack sits on top of 6" of large grained facets. ECT 10-16 failed at the facet layer. Total snow in the area is 36"
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The facets. I'm still surprised with the low snow amounts that we got from this storm. Up until now the structure, here, seemed similar to Provo, but that all changed this week. I expected some collapsing today, we had none.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The problem will remain to be the facet layer. Todays winds could overload them, but as far as new snow/ H2O amounts go, 8" of 10% seems OK. Staying away from steep slopes, is key, right now.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,400'
Slope Angle
26°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates