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Observation: Beaver Mountain Backcountry

Observation Date
2/21/2023
Observer Name
Richie Schumacher
Region
Logan » Beaver Mountain Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Beaver Mountain Backcountry
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Increasing snowfall throughout the day. Initial rain/ snow line was around 5500’ this morning. Strong and gusting southwest and west winds throughout the day with lots of blowing snow. Temps stayed fairly warm. Areas with drifted snow rapidly accumulated 6” to a foot of snow, but protected areas had a couple to a few inches by early afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface snow was a mix of medium to high density powder in protected areas, high density (mostly still soft) wind drifting and wind stripping in unprotected areas. I found some varying crusts and weak layers below this new snow on most aspects and elevations.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Most of this new snow and wind loading is denser than the snow it is falling on. Pair this with the crusts and weak layers below and the upper snowpack structure is poor. Cracking noted mostly near ridge lines. Snowfall increased throughout the day with periods of white out conditions in the early afternoon.
Video
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High