Observation Date
12/23/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Chalk Creek
Location Name or Route
Pahvant Foothills - Chalk Creek Road
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm windy day, a few flakes, not enough to say it snowed.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow on most aspects is damp. Some areas of dry snow remain. Snow is settling out quickly. Areas where I saw 22" on Thursday are down to about 18", still a wallow off trail, mainly above 6,000'. The elk hound was denied much off trail time in this area, still over his head. Below about 5,500 things are settling out to about 8-10".
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Main hazard in this area is wet snow likely sliding to the ground.
I would assume there is still hazard on upper elevation norths due to facets. This is spatially a very limited.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Most of the hazard would be wet slabs and loose wet snow.
Low to moderate hazard on steep slopes.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I would still expect that the potential for slabs avalanches exists up high in very limited areas. This is likely settling out a bit. The Pine Creek snotel has settled out to 27" and temperatures hit freezing today.
Comments
Photos below:
1. Wet snow point release, north facing at 6,000'.
2. Elkhound being denied off trail time.
The snow in the west side central Pahvants is settling out to a good base if we could get more. The east side of the range is dry and received almost no snow.
Pilgrims are starting to make forays up the Chalk Creek road and getting denied not that far from the bottom.
Saying a moderate hazard due to the warm temps down low and underlaying facets in limited areas up high.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
