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Observation: Sunset Peak

Observation Date
4/26/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Sunset Peak
Location Name or Route
Pioneer Peak and Sunset Peak
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly Overcast skies with intermittent periods of both Obscurred and Few. The sun only came out from behind the Few Clouds a couple of times and for never more than 5 minutes. Obscurred Skies occurred during the intermittent Squalls that moved through three separate times during the day. Overall the average rate for Snowfall during the entire day was at S-1, or less than 1/2 inch per hour. All that said, there were two specific periods of High PI when it dropped up to 2 inches in an hour; and at 1800 at 8000 feet another impulse has gone through. The Winds were only observable at exposed areas in the Mid Elevations, and on all ridgelines. Wind Blown and or Transport was observed in the Alpine with Moderate amounts of Loading occurring.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

One inch overnight with a quick two inches falling between 0700 and 0830. Another squall occurred around 1400 with at least two inches falling in less than an hour. Total Snowfall since Monday evening and through the daytime hours appeared to be at least 6 inches in terrain above 9600. Cold creamy powder riding was very good on Northerly aspects with slope angles of 30 degrees and greater above 9600. There was a friable/crumbly one inch M/F Crust on the Northerly aspects on these same slopes with angles of 30 degrees and greater. This crust provided a spongy turning base. And, on the Northerly aspects from 9900 feet and above the Storm Totals that have been adding up since Sunday, and are now up to 16 settled inches where the cold snow is still lingering. The warm temperatures and sun on Monday allowed the new snow to become settled out significantly, and as a result riding was based up and very supportable on all aspects all the way down to 8700 feet at the Brighton Base. The settled out new couple of inches in the mid elevations provided good turning.

All Slopes and aspects with angles 25 degrees and less got damp today due to the warm temperatures and brief sunshine.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind Loading on Leaward Slopes was occurring in the Alpine today, and shallow Soft Slabs were observed. MInimal Cracking was also observed. Poor Snowpack Structure continues to be observed in the Mid Elevations where the Snowpack is damp from 12 inches to 24 inches down. No Collapsing observed in areas traveled, yet reports from other observers indicate this possibility exists on Northerly facing terrain in the mid elevations where the snowpack has not fully transitioned into a Spring/Summer Pack. Widespread Wet Loose Avalanches and roller balls observed in Sun exposed terrain and mainly on East and South aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Wind Slabs up to 12 inches deep observed. The new snow from overnight had significant amounts of graupel in it, and this served as a potentially reactive weak layer with todays denser new snow and wind loading creating isolated slabs. These slabs were only observed in the upper Alpine on S and SE facing slopes.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Any periods of direct sunshine will promote the possibility of Loose Wet Avalanches in the new snow layers.

Wet Slabs in the Mid Elevation terrain that has a saturated snowpack remains a possibility. Probing down to lower layer and checking for wet grains in the steeper terrain may be advisable.

The Hazard today appeared to be mostly Low with Isolated areas of Moderate in the Steeper terrain that was getting damp/wet. Possibly the same for Wednesday.

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