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Observation: Preston Peak

Observation Date
1/24/2015
Observer Name
Brackelsberg / Francis
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Preston Peak
Location Name or Route
United States
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold morning temps with hot mid-day before a small disturbance moved in and the wind picked up and clouds covered the sky.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We were able to easily isolate 2 columns of the entire snowpack right to the ground. One of these even had dirt attached. The bottom 30 cm was large (2mm) facets, but they were starting to bond and freeze together. The snow surface was wet at 2pm.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See red flags above.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
The columns of the entire snowpack that were easily removed.
Over the past couple of years, we have done several pits in very close proximity. I have included an interesting comparison of those pits.
Ground facets of the snowpack.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates