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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
4/3/2019
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Early morning snow showers appeared to subside from significant snowfall rates by 0500. S-1 sporadic showers through 0900. Dense fog and high RH throughout the mid morning hours until 1130. Winds calm except in the exposed alpine where it was high end light with light wind blown and or transport observed. Temperatures warm overnight with no refreeze at 8000. Mid 30's sustained tthrough 1230 when exiting.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very high density snow below 8500 feet overnight, with medium density snow above 9000. Snow was dry until 1000 down to 9000 feet. Greenhousing began by 1030 as a result of the high RH, rising temperatures, fog and intermittent patches of solar. Intense greenhousing appeared to adversely affect almost all aspects, terrain features and elevations up to 10300 by 1115. The only dry snow was found in dense tree stands on shady aspects upon exiting at 1230. Afternoon weather at 8000 feet saw increasing temperatures, solar combined with an intermix of cloud cover; and it is likely that there was no dry snow left except above 10300 on steep north aspects, and that is not guaranteed. Travel most likely will be very difficult on Thursday morning with widespread m/f crusts covering very saturated snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Rollerballs and wet loose becoming active and widespread by 1200. Wet/damp and saturated snow easily running on the drier snow from the beginning of the event. On southerly faces, m/f crusts serving as a good bed surface.. Greenhousing and rapidly rising temperatures contributing to these obviously escalating avalanche conditions.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and minimal refreezes below 9000 feet for at least the past 48 hours may help contribute to continual wet related avalanche issues.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Continued concerns for Cornice Fall and and possible Glide Avalanches appear likely and possible.
Comments
Danger appeared to be low to start the day before daytime heating, greenhousing and solar all became a factor by 1200. Bonding to the old snow surfaces appeared good, and many steep lines were ridden early in the am without activity. The afternoon obviously saw a change in these issues and the danger definitely rose to Moderate by the time of exiting; and potentially hit Considerable late in the day. With the temperatures forecast to rise another 12 to 15 degrees on Thursday these same issues may continue to escalate.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable