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Observation Date
4/9/2015
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton: Back Bowls, Wolverine Bowl, Lower Wolverine Chutes, Wolverine Cirque and Figure 8
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Temperatures appeared to be at least 10 degrees warmer than on Wednesday. Mostly Clear Skies in the early am with increasing Cloud cover by 10:30. For the remainder of the day the sky was Broken. As a result there were several episodes of Bright Sunshine that was adversely affecting the Snow Surface. Greenhousing occurred for a brief period around 11:00. WNW Winds remained Light throughout the day and there were signs of Wind Blown and or Transport observed. There was one brief moment of Light Snowshowers that lasted for only 10 minutes.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Northeast through East, South and Southwest exposures became damp throughout the day as the sun made it's way around the compass. NNE, N, and NNW appeared to survive the effects of the sun on slopes with angles > 25 degrees.

The new snow settled out significantly with obvious storm totals in the 10 to 12 inch range settling out to 7 inches at it the most in the upper elevation protected areas. Of Note: This settlement allowed for better floatation and less "Bottomfeeding" than was experienced on Wednesday. In most areas the new snow had settled out ot 4 to 6 inches in depth on shady aspects.

Overall the riding was good on Low Angle slopes, and on the steeper lines on NNE through N and NNW at upper elevations. Once again, the old shallow and thin M/F crust on these aspects allowed for a softer riding base with the new snow being more creamy than on Wednesday.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
No new and or recent Avalanche Activity was observed today. The only Red Flags were a result of the Warming that was occurring. Roller Balls and Sluffing in the new snow were the only signs observed. Both shallow Wet and Dry Loose Snow Avalanches were observed on slopes with angles > 35 degrees, and these were easily triggered by riders; yet there appeared to be no significant consequences from these minor sluffs. Cloud Cover appeared to help keep the Wet Activity to a minimum.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

With the longer days and intense afternoon sunshine, there may have been greater Wet activity in the mid to late afternoon. This observation does not detail activity after 2:00 pm.

There were definitely enough periods of thick Cloud Cover to keep the new snow from becoming saturated, and thus Friday may see an increase in this kind of activity. Fridays temperatures and South Winds may help activate this issue, and Small Wet Loose Snow Avalanches may be a concern.

The Wind Slab issue from Wednesday appeared to decrease significantly over the past 24 hours, and it was not an issue on Thursday.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Dry Loose Snow Avalanches on very steep Northerly facing terrain may present the only other issue for Friday, and these most likely will be manageable.

Of Note: The other Hazard out there has to do with the unusual Low Snow Cover we have for this time of year. As a result, there are obstacles out there that are generally not uncovered for early April riding conditions.

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