Observation Date
1/23/2017
Observer Name
Jake Hutchinson
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline North of 9990
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Amazing snowfall rates after frontal passage today. I measured .75" in 20 minutes while I dug my pit.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Upside down, dense snow on top of yesterdays lighter snow. it is bonding well to itself and easily creating wind/storm slabs.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
it isn't often that mother nature tips her hand so obviously, but I think just about any flatlander could've picked up on all thie signs of avalanche danger today. Mid elevations revealed large collapses and associated cracking. Snowfall/Precip Intensity was off the hook for many hours. The wind was moving as much snow as it could, buried NSF/SH provided the poor structure/collapsing layer and we had avalanches all over. I hear the resorts skied well.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The most interesting thing today was that it seemed to require a much steeper slope than I expected to get things moving. Multiple ski cuts on test slopes in the 35-37 degree range revealed little more than some cracking and minor movement, but picking the angle up to 40 got things moving quickly. Lots of snow still moving around when I bailed at 2.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
its not widespread, but where it got buried intact, the surface hoar/NSF require some diligence and respect. These slabs could be up to 3' thick now not including windloading. Also would be suspicious of a windslab stepping down into this layer. It's a tricky one and tests may or may not provide info you seek (see my video). With more load, I expect this to become more reactive.
Comments
Photos below:
1 - Wind transport above Moon Rocks, PC Ridge
2 - Shooting crack, approximately 200' in front of me, crossing a 25 degree slope at 9600'
3 - Snow pit showing SH layer
4 - Buried SH, found intact and standing tall at 9600' on north facing slope
5 - Small windslab triggered kicking cornice adjacent to Redrocks avalanche
Video
Video shows some decent PST results and also a good example of how tests in the same location can have conflicting results and not match everything else going on around you. Never rely solely on the results of one test or one pit.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
