Observation: Lake Peak

Observation Date
2/24/2016
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine » Lake Peak
Location Name or Route
Lake Peak
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Enough northerly winds to keep temps comfortable. Certainly warmer than Tuesday.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Was surprised that strong sun from Tuesday did not create widespread sun crusts. Am guessing temps were cold enough on Tuesday to keep most aspects other than direct south from crusting. Did notice more wind affected snow than I was finding on Tuesday morning in Cardiff. Snow surface on shady aspects developing surface hoar and near-surface facets. Ski and travel conditions remain quite good in the high alpine.

Comments

Quick observation from early morning tour up White Pine to Lake Peak and Boulder Basin. On Tuesday morning was finding virtually no wind-affected snow, however the snow surface today was showing some signs of wind affect. However, drifts were quite thin (a few cms) and only small pockets. The wind mostly seemed to affect what was otherwise stellar ski conditions on Tuesday. Despite any wind affect, hazard remains low. With temps forecasted to rise only a bit higher for Thursday, am guessing hazard remains Low, and forecasted winds (westerly in the upper teens mph) may put a lid on any wet activity.

Many had noticed a preserved layer of graupel from last Thursday's strong cold front, and until today I had been unable to find this layer. However today I did find a a prominent 3 cm layer of graupel with a 10-15 cm (4-6") slab on top below the north face of Lake Peak where the angle lessens and graupel often pools. The slab on top was some old wind drifted snow from last Friday and/or light density snow from Monday.

Otherwise from what I have seen Tuesday in Cardiff or this morning in White Pine, it's ski-it-if-it's-white conditions.

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