Observation Date
1/13/2020
Observer Name
Hardesty, Torrey, Henninger, Slack
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » Timpanogos » Wooley Hole
Location Name or Route
Timpooneke to Lower Wooley Hole
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Strong southwest wind with significant terrain channelling and alternating drifting patterns. Wind drifted snow at all elevations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
An inch during the day but 8-12" during the recent storms...
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
See below. Wind slabs likely running naturally up high..
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Strong winds led us to abandon the route to the Wooley Hole. Heavy drifting, even at the mid and low elevations. Cracking noted in many drifted areas; saw a good test slope and stepped over the guardrail and triggered a 8"x40' wide wind slab at 6800' south facing a few hundred yards up from the Pine Hollow parking area.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
7,900'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
Another quick profile NE at 9000’ - CT 13 SC.....ECTN on New Year's interface... 75cm down (wind drifted terrain)
Coverage remains fairly thin in the mid/low elevations...though slighly above median for the season. Provo tends not to fare as well orographically with northwest flow storms....
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
