Observation: Alta Periphery

Observation Date
3/11/2016
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Periphery
Location Name or Route
Catherine's-Sunset-Tuscarora-Wolverine-Twin lakes
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Moderate southerlies and cloud cover seemed to have kept wet activity at bay. Still, warm air temps and flash of sun allowed for some southerlies to soften just enough. High north held soft turnable snow where unaffected by the wind.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
I'd call these yellow flags at best. Will keep an eye on cloud cover and warm temps tonight.
Comments

Skier triggered wind slab from 3/9; weakness less active with cornice-drop today. Surface weaknesses buried on 3/9 with the storm not noted or reported as a player in multiple tests and other "volunteer stability tests" today. Graupel with this storm, now buried 15-20cm provides only layer of interest.

Big picture - high alpine may still hold a rogue wind drift or two from today's winds - primarily on northerly aspects; wet sluffs may still be a factor tomorrow with warm overnight "lows", cloud cover, and light to moderate winds. Water running downhill adjacent to LCC road a good sign for melt/percolation...

Most terrain still harbors a Low avalanche danger.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate