Observation Date
12/25/2022
Observer Name
Kelly, Ahrens
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
City Rocks
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were moderate from the west underneath obscured skies. Later in the day there were some broken clouds and cloud deck down canyon. Winds gusted to moderate at this location.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface was breakable wind crust with a couple of inches of high density snow over the top. Lower angle slopes skied well. Around 9300' on steeper west facing slopes was a breakable solar crust above 9600' was a rime crust.
Photo of obscured skies with riming on the trees.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snowpack structure on west facing was poor. Currently not avalanching- and worth continuing to note where this structure exists with upcoming storm.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
PWL still present underneath wind slab on west facing slopes in this location. The variability on where we are finding this PWL and how hard (hand hardness) the layer of facets is varied. Steeper north facing slopes with the structure would be suspect. This particlar slope took a beating with last week's high winds and was plastered in above the weak layer.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
10,200'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments
Poor structure still exists in this location. Dry facets sitting under 20" of wind slab. Dirt layer that was present in Provo also present in this location buried underneath 12-14" of wind drifted snow. There was a weak interface 4" from the surface within the wind drifted snow that failed after the ECTP's.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
