Observation Date
5/16/2015
Observer Name
Mike Mathiason
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Alta Ski Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
I started at the wildcat base at high noon, moderate snowfall with some light to moderate winds depending on locations. Steady snowfall through 230 at my exit. I noticed at work at Snowbird, snowfall continued to fall all night 1:30 currently. I left at 1230am 5/17 and it was snowing very hard with a good 3-4" at base super wet, hard NW flow working.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was about 2" at Wildcat base at noon, 7" at 145pm at most starting zones. Skied Gunsight and maybe lone pine ? Manageable sluff's and roller balls off most turns above 35 degrees. Noticed sheers while skinning in steeper area's, there was not enough snow/energy to move more than a foot or two. Gunsight had been stuffed out by 1 or 2 skiers that had previously skied. One small probably natural above the high T, 10" deep maybe 400 vert. Probably in the the 35 degrees neck of the woods, didn't measure.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
My concern is for tomorrow. Looks like they bumped up the number for overnight. It was ripping when I left at 1230am. Extremely wet at the base and 34 degrees. Im sure thing at stacking up above 9,500 feet and drying out as you add altitude. With the amount of extra snowfall and the poor bonding to existing base, things look to be active tomorrow. I would be ready for human triggered avalanches tomorrow in the am, and especially with the warm temps tomorrow 45 ish. I feel that we will easily hit the tipping point on water weight to produce widespread avalanches. Probably not enough to really to bury you, unless you get yourself in a terrain trap. There are lots of rock/scree fields and trees to get raked threw thou.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Poor bonding to existing layers.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The wet slides are going to ramp up with the probable green housing and warmer temps tomorrow.
Comments
Careful out there, I would use full respect of the Mtns. tomorrow. Early starts are key this time of year. Also be aware of your surroundings while skiing in these closed resorts. People can get stacked on top of each other very easily, choice approaches are key.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
