Observation: Powder Park

Observation Date
2/18/2013
Observer Name
Willis Richardson
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Powder Park
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Sunny but cold.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Other than a small very shaded north facing slopes every slope had a crust on it even some shaded slopes. I was able to get a couple of runs in Powder Park 1 very low angle in the trees. Any aspect that had any sun effect was crusted.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Crust all aspects 2 inches deep. Some new 1 inch deep facets on top.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Sun exposure on all aspects because of refreeze from yesterday.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
If we get snow on top of the crust which will become a slab there will be issued on all aspects of the compass.
Comments
Re-freeze crust with new snow 1 inch deep. I got two tree runs of about 100 turns in very low angle terrain in the Powder Park Little Water Creek area. Even north facing if it had contact with the sun was a refreeze crust. No wind today even on the ridge line but temperature felt as if it was 10 degrees even in the sun. I expect it was about 25 to 30 degrees.