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Observation: Provo

Observation Date
12/23/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Provo
Location Name or Route
Lower Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Early morning clear skies and calm winds gave way to overcast skies and light westerly winds by mid afternoon. Temperatures moderated from Saturday and appeared to be at least 10 degrees warmer. Light snowfall (S-1) began around 1500 hours and now at 2200 hours less than an inch has fallen at 8000 feet in BCC.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
HST from latest event that ended Saturday afternoon has now settled to 6 inches resting on a soft turning base on northerly facing slopes. Riding was very good today in the sheltered areas traveled, and reports from upper elevation more exposed terrain stated the same.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
So many recent avalanches in the past 48 hours, it seems like this Red Flag may still be appropriate. We did not see any new activity today, but we kept our slope angles down in the moderate range. Poor Snowpack Structure continues to be observed in areas traveled. HS ranged from 120 to 100 cm. Multiple pits continue to identify a reactive mid pack weak layer approximately 30 cm down; and the culprit layer appears to be preserved NSF's from the dry spell that occurred during the second week of December. Fracture characteristics continue to be SP with Moderate Loading Steps for initiation. Grain size of this PWL is small at .5.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Remote weather stations continue to report adequate wind velocities capable of producing more sensitive wind slab activity, yet no wind blow and or transport was observed during the day before the cloud deck thickened. Of note, the winds are forecasted to ramp up overnight and there is ample light density snow available for transport and additional wind slab development for Monday in the mid to upper elevations.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Despite only one P-Slab reported in the recent past, the presence of Poor Snowpack Structure continues to point out a Low Probability with High Consequences if a person finds the right spot. And, the possible location for this kind of avalanche may continue to be suspect on steep/shallow/rocky upper and mid elevation terrain features.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate