Observation: Mezzanine

Observation Date
2/15/2024
Observer Name
Pagnucco, Recker
Region
Logan » Beaver Creek » Amazon Face » Mezzanine
Location Name or Route
Mezzanine
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Started out in a blizzard which quickly transitioned to partly cloudy with strong sun.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Medium to heavy powder - Any snow the sun touched turned damp and heavy by mid-afternoon. Shady areas were better.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Observed cracking and collapsing with the main weakness at the surface of the old snow (NSF's). Wind was transporting lots of snow. Instabilities seemed to be stabilizing as the day progressed. Observed shallow loose avalanches on steep cliffy slopes in Beaver Canyon.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
We were able to initiate soft slabs on test slopes early in the day but it became harder to do so as the day got warmer and the storm moved on.
Comments
This is the only photo that really summed up the day at mostly mid-elevation. About 12-16" stuck on top of our skis made for arduous trail breaking and very un-Utah-like "powder" skiing.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates