Observation: South Ridge of Beaver Mountain

Observation Date
1/6/2023
Observer Name
weed
Region
Logan » Beaver Mountain Backcountry » South Ridge of Beaver Mountain
Location Name or Route
South Ridge of Beaver Mountain...Backcountry
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mild and snowy, with limited visibility due to clouds and snowfall.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Super nice fluffy powder conditions...
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No obvious red flags except poor snow structure and consistent propagating failures in snowpit tests... and, periods of heavy snowfall.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
8,500'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments
There are probably some areas with dangerous avalanche conditions, especially where the snow is shallow and weak sugary snow near the ground is loose and sugary. People could trigger dangerous avalanches on slopes with poor snow structure, a slab of stiffer more cohesive snow resting on loose sugary snow grains in a buried persistent weak layer.
Historically, avalanche accidents are common on the first nice day after a stormy period, especially if it's a weekend day, there's great powder in the backcountry, and dangerous conditions exist... People should keep this history in mind as they make critical terrain decisions tomorrow. Super nice powder can cause the best of us to make poor choices. Tomorrow and this weekend it'll be best to take a conservative approach in the backcountry since dangerous conditions exist in places.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable