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Observation Date
4/24/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter: Snake Creek, Dog Lake, Pioneer Area
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds appeared to die down around sunrise, and were Light throughout the day. No Transport and or Wind Blown Observed. Temperatures rose rapidly, and by 1000 it was seasonable warm in the direct sunshine. Mostly clear skies with a Few Clouds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Strong winds from Saturday ranged from SW through W, through NW for the Storm. Significant Wind affects and damage in the upper Mid Elevations up to the Highest Ridgelines. As a result Wind Scouring, Wind Packing, and Wind Sculpting/Sastrugi was observed. Also, the overall quality and density of the snow was very dense and thick. Bonding was good at the old snow/new snow interface. The New Snow became damp within minutes of being exposed to the direct Sunshine. Riding was a bit slow, yet fun in the dense supportable/surfy snow, and it's depth and density allowed good riding on Low and Steeper Angled Terrain. By the end of the day, it appeared that the only Cold Snow left for Monday would be on NNE, N and NNW steep upper elevation terrain.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Heavy Snowfall yesterday combined with the Strong Winds created Wind Slabs that were obviously still reactive and sensitive today on very steep Leaward Terrain. There was a Human Triggered Wind Aided, Soft Slab that was observed in the Main Chute off of Tuscarora. This Chute is also know as Seagull and or the Three Chute. It appeared that someone was descending it and about half way down the Chute triggered a Wind Slab Avalanche. It may have also had a warming contribuiting factor, though the timing of the Slide was unknown. The Rider's tracks appeared to be able to stop and let it run in front of them, yet when the Slide broke out of the Chute area in the Lower Bowl it propated to the the Rider's right at least 150 feet: R2, D1.5 to 2. The light was very flat when observed and photos were not possible. Sun affect Roller Balls were getting going in the Steep NE and E terrain in Snake Creek by 1000. Did not get a look at conditions after 1400, and with the daytime highs more sun related activity was likely.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above, and after todays activity things may not be as reactive on Monday. Of Note, the saturated snow pack at the mid elevations combined with the 8 inches and water weight observed at 8000 feet may still present an issue on Monday with another day of elevated temperatures and dense new wet snow.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

See above, and this issue most likely will settle out after todays warm temperatures.

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