Observation: Cache Valley Foothills

Observation Date
2/24/2023
Observer Name
Richie Schumacher
Region
Logan » Cache Valley Foothills
Location Name or Route
Cache Valley Foothills
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very nice day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface at 7600' and below was a mixture of powder, soft to medium density wind drifts, and sun/ wind crust (both breakable and supportive). Below about 6000', there were variations of multiple crust/ facet combos withing the top 20-50cm of the snowpack capped by soft wind drifted snow and a couple inches of new snow from overnight. Above 6000' the snowpack structure seemed to improve overall. Small 0.1-0.5mm surface hoar noted on most aspects above about 6000'. Northerly slopes had deep and soft snow, while southerly slopes were taking a beating from the wind and sun, but had pockets of softer wind drifted snow. Tracks from yesterday were almost completely filled in.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Came upon a recent (assuming from overnight) small (estimated 4-6" deep x 30' wide) soft (4F) wind slab that released naturally (pictured) on North aspect at 7500'. Lots of wind drifting seen- mostly soft, but some hard. We had several small collapses on wind drifted snow and some cracking directly underfoot on harder drifts. Crust/facet sandwiches at lower elevations were structurally poor, but with few other red flags noted.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate