Observation Date
1/21/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Tushers » Beaver River
Location Name or Route
Tushers - Beaver Canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind direction changed to north since yesterday. A lot of drifted snow including areas off of the ridge lines.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
12" overnight.
HST (48 hrs) is >24" @10,000', a bit of a density inversion in the upper 8".
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Red flags are for today. Recent crowns on SR153 below Merchant Valley in seperate ob. A lot of drifting, much soft cracking.
Impossible to isolate new snow on pole cloumns and ECTPV. I was not able to isolate the upper poertion of the snow pack including the densty inversion.
Sluffing during the storm in areas >40 degrees.
I would not be surprised if there was a natural cycle during the night.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I would expect sensitive wind slabs in wind loaded areas. Many areas of thick drifted snow today.
Comments
I would speculate that the hazard is primarily in the storm snow which is now >24". Based on what I saw yesterday the storm snow sits on facets and a weak sun crust underlain by facets.
Solid considerable hazard to say the least. I could see it spiking to high during periods of increased PI.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
