Observation: Little Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
12/12/2018
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper LCC Perimeter
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds diminished by about 5 pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Tough to determine total new snow with so much wind-blown snow. Snow was more reactive during periods of high PI in the mid-afternoon, especially in areas that had some wind-effet.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Storm snow and wind-blown snow was reactive during periods of heavy precipitation. Rapid rate of change being applied to snowpack on northerly aspects where facets live.
Comments
Late afternoon tour in upper LCC. Some cracking in storm and wind-blown snow. Old snow surface was quite varied, so difficult to determine bonding. I was finding two weaknesses: (1) density inversion within storm snow, (2) old snow surface. I am expecting storm snow & wind drift instabilities to settle out on Thursday, but am concerned of rapid loading on faceted layers, especially on north and northeast aspects. Video below showing some of the weaknesses in storm snow on northeast aspect.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate