Observation Date
12/15/2016
Observer Name
Staples, Weed, Pagnucco
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon » Providence Lake
Location Name or Route
Providence Lake Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
warm, but breezy...downwrite windy up on the ridges..
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Good riding and skiing in somewhat heavy powder.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
We observed evidence of many small and a few large natural wind slab and soft (storm) slab avalanches
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We didn't see much in the way of weak faceted basal snow in the area, but we didn't venture onto the suspect slopes like the Fairground, which look rather shallow. We know that shallow snow tends to be weak.
This problem appears limited to upper elevation due north facing terrain...
Snow Profile Video
We saw evidence of many fresh natural avalanches ranging from class 2 wind slabs near the ridge top with crowns 2 to 3 feet deep and around 100' wide, to shallow soft slabs only a few inches deep. We think one, which involved both sides of a shallow gully, was triggered by a coyote.. We found the thin failing weak layer all over near Providence Lake, on slopes facing every direction.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
