Observation Date
2/2/2014
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Snake Creek
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Suprising cold and windy today. The car read 4 F on the way up Little Cottonwood. Strong winds, particularly along the ridges.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Recent storm provided excellent refresh for the riding conditions.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The recent snow didn't seem to be enough overload weak layers lower in the snowpack. Instead the only observed activity was some skier triggered sluffing in steeper terrain. The wind seemed stronger than forecast but seemed primarily to be an issue right around ridge tops. This observation is one of the few without poor snowpack structure. It seemed generally not great but given that many slopes were tested without result, I didn't check the box.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Sluffing in steeper terrain seemed to be the story today. We saw one small soft slab from the most recent storm cycle.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

Stronger than expected winds today did create some relatively minor drifting of snow but this seemed confined to the ridge lines and didn't seem to be problematic.

Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments

This location had a very strong series of melt freeze crusts just below the most recent snow. These were very strong and hard to cut through, perhaps bridging weaker snow below.

This snow pit was a bit different than in other locations traveled in the last couple days. In most locations the new low density snow was sitting on a density change above the old rime crusts. Given that many slopes were skied this weekend, those layers were not easily skier triggered.

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