Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
4/22/2013
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton, Back Bowls
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
The cloud deck lowered around 0800 and there were periods of Moderate snowfall until at least 1300. The winds were blowing out of the NW and sustained in the Moderate Category with gusts in the Strong Range. This kind of intensity was observed mostly in the upper elevation exposed terrain. Transport and or wind blown snow was in the high end of the Moderate Range. Tracks were filling in every half hour. From 0800 through the time when I exited at 1230 it was like being in the middle of a winter storm with blinding/blowing snow. And, it appeared that these squalls went on at least for another couple of hours.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

The thick cloud deck kept the temperatures on the cool side, and as a result the snow surface was not able to soften up and get damp. In areas where the old tracks and crusts were firm and "chunder-like", it was tough/challenging riding. The upper ridges and upper aspects of the Northerly facing chutes and bowls were stripped of snow. In all areas above 9000 feet the new snow was not bonding well. In areas just down from the upper reaches and out of the intense winds, the riding on the North facing steeper terrain was soft, thick/creamy settled cold powder. And, actually it was good. Once the slope angles were 25 degrees or less there were crusts of varying thicknesses on all aspects and elevations. Of note: Southerly facing terrain below 9700 feet had a supportable crust that may be good riding on Tuesday once the sun comes out and softens it. Also of note, the three inches of snow and winds have appeared to help smooth out some of the terrain, and specifically the old tracks from the weekend. Hopefully, this may help the potential corn cycle that appears like it will be ripe and ready for harvest by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Tuesdays forecasted high of 34 at 9000 feet may not be enough to help develop thicker and more supportable crusts by Wednesday in the upper elevations.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
There were pockets of soft wind slabs and drifting up to 8 inches deep, and in the areas traveled there was minimal cracking observed. Besides this issue, it was easy to initiate significant "sluff-age" on the Northerly facing slopes with angles of 38 degrees and greater. These sluffs were very manageable, yet they were running in the upper 3 to 4 inches of the snow surface and entraining more snow than would have generally been expected.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above regarding small isolated pockets of wind slab.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

There may be some shallow Wet Loose Avalanches on Tuesday in the new snow from Monday.