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Observation Date
2/3/2015
Observer Name
Lees
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Emma Ridges
Location Name or Route
Alta to West Bowl
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

1 to 4" of dense snow plus wind smoothing out the old snow surfaces nicely.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Some soft, damp wind drifts along the ridgelines and on gully walls. But none were cracking, none were responsive to slope cuts. South side - skier triggered rollar balls, probably only an hour of sun away from shallow sluffs, but the clouds and winds kept the snow cool. The damp snow is sitting on hard crusts, which could encourage sluffing once it heats.
Comments

Mostly new snow and wind issues tomorrow - wind slabs if forecasted snow and elevated wind speeds occur. Also, wet loose slides in the afternoon if skies clear - the combination of warm temperatures and direct sun could make new snow rapidly sensitive.

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