Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date

4/13/2025

Observer Name

Region

Provo » Snake Creek

Location Name or Route

Snake Creek

Weather

Sky

Few

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Temperatures finally dipping down at least close to freezing if not below at all elevation bands. Low humidity, these temperatures and the mostly clear skies helped reverse the lack of refreezing that has been occurring the past two days. Winds were light out of the WNW in the morning hours and calm in the afternoon hours.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Marginal refreeze that was only 8 to 10cm deep, but this was enough to allow good corn riding from 10,300 down to 8500'. The snow surface adequately softened beginning at 9:30 on eastern aspects, 10:15 on southeast aspects, 10:45 on south aspects and 11:30 on southwest aspects. It is important to acknowledge when it's time to move on to another aspect before you begin to make ruts and dig deeper. Good Corn Riding etiquette keeps the surface conditions enjoyable for a long time by allowing your tracks to melt back down so the slopes remain smooth.

Red Flags

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Poor snowpack structure may not be the best way to define the potential for "Corn Slabs". As the frozen surfaces begins to warm/soften there is the potential for a slab to release on steep slopes especially when the underlying structure is saturated and or very damp. This may have been possible today, and will likely be possible tomorrow as a more solid refreeze aids in creating a much more cohesive structure. "Slide for Life"possibilites on early morning outings on steep consequential terrain are a concern.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Normal Caution

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

See above.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Low

Coordinates

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