Observation: Big Springs

At low elevations and in the Big Springs, Provo area today. I was out with the dogs, so not much time to concentrate on snowpack observations.

At 11:30 in the Big Springs Park parking area, temperature was 38* and there were 20cm (8") of very dense and wet snow. It had obviously rained on the new snow.

At 12:30 in a northerly meadow at 6350', I found a 55cm snowpack with 30cms of new snow. Again, the snow was dense and very heavy. Holding much more snow water equivalent than a typical foot of snow in December in Utah. I dug out a pit to get a quick look and then filmed the pup when he triggered the collapse. The new snow sits on a thin crust and beneath that are 5cms that is my layer of concern. That layer had developed facets mixed with 1-2cm of preserved surface hoar. Even the dogs knew what was up...that was scary. See attached video.

In the upper elevations on a SE aspect on Cascade, I could dimly make out a recent avalanche, but not any details. It may have been triggered by warming rocks or wet snow runoff. Hard to say and hard to see avalanches in the upper elevations with recent snowfall and flat light.

My quick 2 cents via video here.

TLDR: in the Provo area, any elevation with preserved old snow on a steep slope is suspect and for avoiding.

Photo 1: Snowpack at 6350' in a meadow on a NE aspect. This is where the collapse happened.

Photo 2: Described avalanche.

Photo 3: Snow coverage from low elevation and upper elevation on southern end of Cascade.

Photo 4: Rain runnels in the meadow.