Recent activity along the Park City ridgeline highlights the tricky variability of this problem. Yesterday, the UAC and Canyons Village snow safety team investigated a remotely-triggered avalanche on Murdock Peak from Sunday (12/21). The image below details the structure: a thin slab sitting on top of dry facets and depth hoar.

While reported avalanches over the last two weeks have been relatively sparse and generally small (12-18" deep, <80' wide), the signs of instability are notable. The recent remote trigger, combined with reports of collapsing and unstable test results, proves this weak layer remains reactive in areas where the snowpack is thinner (roughly 12-18 inches of total snow depth).

I am uneasy about the continued warm temperatures and how the slab and weak layer combination may react. This is not your typical dry, December snowpack, and although this warmth may lead to strengthening of our snowpack down the road, for now, there is enough uncertainty and signs of unstable snow that it's worth building in margin and being skeptical.

Unseasonably warm temperatures and rain falling on snow may create loose wet avalanches. While these slides may be small, the heavy, wet debris can be dangerous in tight spots. Avoid terrain traps like road banks, creek beds, and gully walls where this heavy snow can pile up deeply and bury a person.