Observation: Bonanza Flats

Observation Date
1/17/2024
Observer Name
Antenucci, AIARE L1
Region
Salt Lake » Bonanza Flats
Location Name or Route
Mid-Mountain Trailhead: Bonanza Flats
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Seemed like the snow and wind came in squalls today, with periods of heavy snowfall throughout the day, not isolated to the morning. Wind speeds remained moderate where we were.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow came in pretty heavy and wet, soaking through our layers in the matter of an hour in the field.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
While we didn't observe Cracking or Collapsing on our outing today, we did not a very weak snowpack structure with a thick slab of Pencil hard rounds on top of Fist hard Facets. With the additonal load added with this most recent storm, I would expect to see continued faliures on this layer. Overtime, the additonal snowpack will insulate and help the facets start to heal, but we need to give it time.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Today we observed about a foot of new snow accumulate while we were in the field.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
8,400'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
We went out to dig pits today and ended up not traveling very far. The combination of heavy snowfall and wet snow limited our time in the field. We didn't travel very far to where we ended up digging our pits and didn't get to observe anything in the upper elevation band. Lower elevations in Park City, Kimbal Junction, and Deer Valley still lack a signifigant amount of snow. The amount of snow accumulated seems to jump pretty drastically as soon as you enter the mid elevation band, and it definietly harbors old weak snow from our december drought.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates