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Observation: Alta Ski Area

Observation Date
10/27/2022
Observer Name
Hardesty, Kelly, Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Alta
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Glorious
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Excellent riding conditions for October. Snow depths are 1-3', depending on elevation. Solar aspects took heat from the late October sun and will be crusted in the morning.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags. Minor sluffing in the new snow. Pics below.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,800'
Comments
Wind rippling noted along the highest elevations. See scalloping in photo. Wind drifts may have been sensitive to provocation in the morning but not sensitive in our travels.
Size 1-1.5 natural sluffing noted in the early morning in the steepest terrain. Photos of Cardiac Bowl, Cardiac Ridge by Mark White with permission.
Snow is 'right-side-up' (photo below) and stable.
Shears noted with compression tests at and just below the new/old snow interface but these have stabilized. The snow is mostly stable with wet loose sluffs likely the main concern (beyond hitting rocks and stumps).
Mountain temperatures are expected to rise toward freezing (0°C) by later Friday and pushing toward +4°C by later Monday.
Sunny aspects may burn down to the dirt while northerly aspects will started to facet and weaken. The next storm is slated for just after Halloween.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates