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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/11/2021
Observer Name
E
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Very Light Snowfall throughout the day with minimal accumulations. Moderate WSW winds getting down into the mid elevations as well as being very active transporting Wind Blown snow at significant Moderate levels in the Upper Elevation Exposed terrain.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The new snow from the past three days has not been significant depth wise, yet each days inch or more has helped to continue to keep the riding conditions good and soft. Even Southerly facing slopes appeared to be offering excellent turning in the Upper Elevations. Extensive Wind damage in the exposed Steep Northerly facing terrain with the Lower Angle slopes having ski penetration and fun carving in 2 to 3 inches of dense settled powder. New snow appeared to be a mix of small graupel and rimed particles.
Of Note: despite the height of snow reaching at or close to 6 feet in many locations in the Upper Cottonwoods, there are many areas in the exposed Upper Elevation terrain that are still quite bony. This most likely is due to the Intense Wind Events that have been associated with many of our recent Storm Events.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Soft Wind Slabs of up to 12 inches observed in specific areas with minimal cracking. Faceting areas still observed in the thinner areas and specifically around the larger exposed rocks. Of Note: the deeper areas of the Upper Cottonwoods appear to be gaining significant strength and hopefully after this next round of forecast precipitation in a week from now we may have made improvements in some zones in the Central Core of the Wasatch. Obviously the spatial variability out there is very diverse, and any locations that have thinner snowpack heights will still remain suspect.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
As noted above, the Persistent Slab Problem may not be as severe in the deeper Upper Cottonwoods, yet with the Snow Water Equivilent that is forecast for the next several days even these zones will be tested once again. No avalanche activity observed when the visibility allowed views of the Wolverine Cirque and surrounding areas.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
As noted above, signficant Wind Blown was observed, and with ample amounts of snow available for Transport this problem will continue to contribute to the potential for overloading any Persistent Weak Layers as well as just general Wind Slab Concerns within the New Snow.
Of note: the Cornices are continuing to grow, and there appears to be a mid pack weak layer that is allowing easy shears and Cornice Failures with additional Wind Loading and New Snow.
Danger appeared to Considerble only in the Upper Elevation Wind Loading areas, yet with the forecast for New Snow and Winds this Considerable Danger Rating may increase in Distribution to include Mid as well as Upper Elevations on all Aspects.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable