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Observation: Twin Lakes area

Observation Date
3/5/2026
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Twin Lakes area
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winter like cold temperatures. Sustained S1 throughout the day with sporadic periods of heavy snowfall with rates up to at least S5. Moderate WNW winds with Strong Gusts in the Upper elevation exposed terrain. Moderate to Intense Wind Blown at times. Winds did not appear to be active at the mid and lower elevations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Overnight HN was 10cm at 8000 in Silverfork, with Brighton getting only 7cm. Daytime accumulations favored LCC with the NW/WNW flow. The closer to Twin Lakes Pass the deeper the accumulations. By 1500 Brighton had 15cm with upwards of 25cm observed near Twin Lakes Pass. The new snow landed on a variety of pre-storm surfaces with NW-N and NE aspects that had slope angles 25 degrees and greater having a spongy/soft interface. All lower angled terrain and and Solars had a varying thickness of m/f crusts. Bonding to the old snow appeared to be good. Wind scoured areas were very firm/slick.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Red Flags Comments
The only Red Flags observed were confined to a few Natural Dry Loose avalanches releasing in very steep cliffy areas. Slope cuts were easy to initiate long running/fast Dry Loose in steep terrain (See Photo). No travel into the highest exposed/loaded ridgelines, but it was Very Likely that Wind Slabs were Reactive and or Sensitive.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above, and with the forecast for the winds to be peaking in the evening hours this problem is Likely increasing and lingering potentially Reactive Wind Slabs will be possible tomorrow in the Upper elevation typical wind loaded areas.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

See above and the picture of Dry Loose. Manageable.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates

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