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Observation Date
12/14/2013
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Preston Peak
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Beautiful day with warm sunshine looking down at the fog and inversion in the valleys.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

The slope had a layer of surface hoar followed by a wind crust.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Not super rapid warming, but the sun was strong and warm. The warm day today after the prior cold temperatures caused a significant temperature gradient in the top of the snow pack. I would expect this to lead to the formation of near surface facets just below the wind crust.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The layer of facets below the crust ~25 cm from the ground is the layer that in this location could cause problems. The shallow snow pack would make any slide dangerous.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
10,200'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments

The views of Timp above the clouds were great.

The snow is very shallow on the southerly aspects.

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