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Observation: Snowbird periphery

Observation Date
12/22/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery
Location Name or Route
Snowbird Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Clear skies and cold temperatures. Moderate west winds and wind blown only perceptible on the upper ridge lines, and in the mid afternoon these winds appeared to die down considerably.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Riding was very much improved with this latest event. In sheltered areas the grauple from earlier in the week added to the bottomless riding. In more exposed terrain the riding was still bottom feeding. The cold temperatures and low angle sun appeared to help keep the snow on the southerly faces cold and dry.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Widespread Loose Dry avalanches in steep terrain were observed with slope cuts easily initiating stuffing in the upper four inches of the new snow. Tilt Tests confirmed this weakness and it was lingering at least till the end of the day. Poor Snowpack Structure was observed at mid elevations in multiple pits with reactive weaknesses at a mid-pack layer as well as in the basal facets. CTM scores were consistently observed at about 33 cm down. CTM and CTH scores were also observed in the basal facets near the ground directly above the deteriorating October rain crust. Slope cuts were also able to easily trigger small shallow cross loaded pocket of wind slabs on westerly facing upper elevation terrain features.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See comments above about Loose Dry avalanches. These sensitivities most likely will become less reactive over the next 24 hours.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
See comments above, and these most likely will become less reactive as well by Sunday.
Of note, the previously cited basal facets appear to be showing signs of rounding with early stages of sintering, (see photo below). Regardless, this weakness still is yielding SC shear characteristics in CT's, and ECTN's appeared to be common in multiple tests performed.
Photos by Conway
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate