Obs-Snow Profile: Catherines area 11/13/2011

Observer Name:

Paradis / Andrews

Region:

Catherines area
Alta Ski Area
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Salt Lake

Observation Date:

11/13/2011

Location or Route:

Catherines Pass

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Moderate Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

Strong south winds from Saturday loaded many north facing slopes.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

12"

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Snow was fairly dense, both in terms of water content and wind affect.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

All the red flags except warming were present today. We kept to moderate terrain so cracking was less obvious & had only 1 or 2 collapses

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

New Snow

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Elevation:

High

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Our primary concern was the poor snow structure with more than 12" of new snow sitting on weak faceted snow. This new snow was deposited with plenty of wind. Facets were easy to find with hand pits.

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 34' 47.64" N, 111° 35' 57.4548" W

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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