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Observation Date
5/21/2015
Observer Name
Willis
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Alta Ski Area
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Heavy clouds began moving in about 12:30 bringing increase wind, thunder, lightning and rain.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow was damp through the snow pack. Collapsing occured below the avalanche area in relatively flat terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
A lot of collapsing in the area as I passed across low angle terrain beneath the avalanche.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wet avalanches across the entire area of Alta visible from the road.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Increased wet weather and hight temperatures. The snow pack may stabilize if the temperatures approach freezing.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
36°
Comments
I did a beacon search simply because I thought I saw a pole sticking out of the snow which turned out to be simply debris. My beacon indicated no burial. The avalanche looked to be several days old with the debris pile about six feet deep and rock solid. The was several large pieces of debris about 1/4 of the way down the avalanche.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable