Observation: Provo

Observation Date
3/4/2018
Observer Name
andrew bentz
Region
Provo
Location Name or Route
Maple Mountain
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Strong
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Medium density snow. Excellent skiing conditions through the trees.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
There were a lot of easily triggered smaller storm slabs. Sluffs would run pretty far even on lower slope angles.
Comments
A lot of cracking throughout the new snow. This also was the first day skiing Provo this season that I did not notice any collapsing, which is interesting because just last week I was hearing anywhere from about 4 to 8 collapses in just a few hours.
This photo shows the whole snowpack at about 8500 feet on an east aspect on Maple Mountain in the Provo Mountains. The bottom foot is still the lingering faceted snow from early on in this season. Just looking at it with my eye, it seems like it is recovering decently and rounding out.
This last image shows a long running sluff on a pretty mellow slope. Nothing crazy, but notable nonetheless.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable