Module 12 | Scenario 2: Cottonwood Canyons Forecast

  • Due Apr 6 at 11:59pm
  • Points 5
  • Questions 5
  • Available after Mar 24 at 12am
  • Time Limit None
  • Allowed Attempts 2

Instructions

Overview

The National Weather Service and private companies use computer models to produce the public-facing weather forecast that they provide for citizens or customers. For example, opensnow.com provides detailed forecasts for many ski resorts during the winter, including a blog summary for many ski regions.  

In Utah, the National Weather Service produces detailed forecasts for the snow-safety activities and emergency management in the Cottonwood Canyons that are also useful for anticipating snowfall and weather at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton ski resorts and in the Cottonwoods backcountry. Such forecasts illustrate the type of detailed information needed to ensure public safety in mountainous areas. At the end of this learning activity, you should be able to access weather information from the National Weather Service Cottonwood Canyons forecasts and be able to describe some of the key forecast variables needed by snow-safety and highway management teams in mountainous regions.  

Instructions

Utilize the information located in the Scenario and Key Concepts to answer the questions located in this activity. You may refer to your textbook and notes to help you work through the assigned questions if desired. You will have two attempts to complete this activity. The highest grade will automatically be recorded. Once you have submitted your activity for a second time, you will be able to see the correct answers. Discuss with your instructor if you have questions about your answers or feedback.

  • Activity is due Sunday, by 11:59 p.m. MT

Submission and Assessment Guidelines

  • You will complete the quiz associated with this scenario within Canvas. For help on how to take a quiz in Canvas, review How do I take a quiz.
  • This learning activity is worth 5 points toward your final grade.

Scenario

You are on the Utah Department of Transportation Avalanche Safety Team in Little Cottonwood Canyon and need the best forecast possible to plan your avalanche mitigation efforts and ensure safety along the highway in the canyon.  

Key Concepts

During the winter, the National Weather Service issues detailed forecasts in support of public safety activities (e.g., avalanche control work) in the Cottonwood Canyons. These forecasts are available publicly (click here) and contain a great deal of valuable information for avalanche mitigation as well as skiers including a weather synopsis, temperatures at the Alta Guard Station (8,800 feet) near the base of Alta Ski Area, snow amount probability (typically the most likely and 2nd most likely outcome), water equivalent probability (typically the most likely and 2nd most likely outcome), snow level, snowfall rate (average and peak), wind speeds, gusts, and directions on 9,000 foot and 11,000-foot ridgelines, and the chance of lightning. Forecasts are for two periods covering the next 24 hours, although there is also a summary of storm details that can cover a greater period if the storm will last longer. 

Here is an example of Cottonwood Canyons Forecast. Because of page updates, the default version is now probabilistic. To access the "classic" version, click the red text on the right side of the page labeled "Show Classic Forecast".

A table showing the weather forecast for Provo Canyon, UT

Use this example forecast to answer the questions below.  If necessary, right click on it to open in a separate window or download to a separate file that you can examine to make the text bigger.

Citations

Overview

Images:

Key Concepts

  • Cottonwood Canyons Forecast
    • Citation: National Weather Service. (n.d.). Cottonwood Canyons forecast. National Weather Service / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
 
 
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