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Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
1/11/2023
Observer Name
B
Region
Provo » Snake Creek
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
OVC giving way to FEW in the late pm. 10 cm of new during the day. Temperatures returned to Winter like norms. Moderate West Winds with Light Wind Blown.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Definite density inversions throughout the new snow with Reactive Breaks at 15 cm down as well as 45 cm down. The upper Break settled out significantly throughout the day. Yet, the Break at 45 down was yielding Easy Shears in Hasty Pits. This Break appeared to be the latest Storm Interface and the Hardness change at this location was at least one step difference if not more: Pencil Minus to Four Finger. There appeared to be an intense period of very large PI during the Storm and this Strong over Weak Structure was noted 5 cm above the interface with Lighter density snow at the Interface.
Playful wind rolls were observed mid slope with extreme variability in the surfy riding conditions.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Storm Slab issues as discussed above appeared to be the only Red Flag, and these may Likely settle out in the next 12 to 24 hours. Reports from around the Range validated the Contributing factor of Wind Loading and the Reactive nature of the Storm Slabs. No Naturals observed in the Steep facing terrain that was visible in the late PM.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above for Storm Slab issues with Contributing Factor of Wind Loading.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Rapid Rising Temperatures and Clear Skies will Likely help initiate Widespread Wet Loose on Thursday with potential for these Avalanches to dig down to the Interface previously cited above. Regardless there is ample cold dry snow that will Likely become Reactive with daytime heating and Solar.
Natural Wet Loose Cycle will escalate the Danger to Considerble with daytime heating. Moderate for all other concerns.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates