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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
2/5/2020
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Increasing clouds with light snow and cold, but thankfully warmer than yesterday. At least the temperatures were in the single digits instead of below zero.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Finally, the Goldilocks zone. Two days ago in Lambs Canyon there was only an inch of new snow--too little. Yesterday in Neff's Canyon there was two feet of snow--too much. Finally today in White Pine it was perfect. A foot of new, light powder on a supportable, smooth surface. One of the most delightful days of the year. We broke a trail to the Spire and took some runs. We saw a couple other parties over towards Lake Peak but that's it.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
No red flags where we were. The wind did not affect it at 10,000' where we were but you could see lots of scouring and drifts on the surrounding 11,000' peaks. We could predictably sluff the light snow on steep slopes. The main concern, of course is the next storm. The forecast for warmer, denser, more wind affected snow plunked down on top of all our light powder, which is in turn sitting on a supportable--often slippery, sun crusted--future bed surface. It's an obvious recipe for excitement, that is if you think widespread avalanching is exciting. I can sniff an an avalanche warning in the air.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates