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Observation: Guardsman Pass area

Observation Date
11/10/2020
Observer Name
Hardesty and Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Guardsman Pass area
Location Name or Route
Guardsman Pass
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold, no wind (fairly sheltered from westerly winds here), and a random flurry noted here and there. Temps started in the mid single digits but rebounded into the teens when we left at midday.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
15"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Roughly 45 cm near the Guardsman Parking area and about the same just above the pass. (Sheltered northeast facing at 8930' and 9750').
All storm snow from Saturday to present. Damp along the ground interface and generally right side up.
A few density breaks within the upper 20cm (see tilt test video) but these should settle out very soon.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
None
Comments
Snow is stable in most locations. Other areas that were more exposed to the west to northwest winds may have some very soft wind drifts up high.
Photos of coverage on northeast and southeast facing slopes at and above 9500' near Guardsman Pass.
One note on surface hoar. Spotty feathers up to 12mm noted on the surface but not the widespread carpet that would likely pose problems. This, of course, from one spot...and should be looked for over the next few days. Weakest snow currently are the 4-6% stellar dendrites on the surface.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates