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Observation: USA Bowl

Observation Date
12/30/2015
Observer Name
Steve and Lucie
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » USA Bowl
Location Name or Route
USA Bowl area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Very cold start of 12f at trailhead. Completely calm with breaks in clouds by noon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow sitting on top of consolidated snowfall from last week top with a melt-freeze crust in exposed areas. No crusts in sheltered or treed areas. Overall very nice travel and skiing conditions.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still seeing facets at the base of the 105cm snowpack. Although, these were un-reactive to our tests we still choose our routes with this in on our minds. THe facets were slightly damp in this region.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The snowpack structure is overall strong with the exception of the buried facets at 105cm in this region on a SW facing slope. The snowpack was (from top to bottom) new snow with an overall increasing hardness to one-finger just above the buried facets. We did not notice the rime crust or the melt-freeze layer at our observations site. We did feel the melt-freeze layer during our tour. We found no reaction during ECT in this region. Notably, no reaction at the buried facets. The facets were slightly damp in this region.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
28°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates