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Observation Date
4/27/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Back Bowls
Location Name or Route
Brighton Back Bowls, Figure 8
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear Skies in the morning until about 1130 when they became Overcast. Unfortunately the Sun was out for more than enough time to really heat things up and change the riding conditions on all aspects and elevations traveled. Temperatures rose accordingly and the temperatures adversely effected the snow conditions. Before this, the early morning riding was mid-winter bottomless conditions. The storm stacked up in a right-side up fashion, and the last 4 to 5 inches were light density. By 0900 the snow surface became damp one to two inches down on all aspects except NW and W. The snow below this dampness remained cold and dry well past 1230 on NW, N and W aspects and the riding was still good despite the damp surface. The cloud cover appeared to slow this waming process down a bit. Left the area by 1300. Winds were Light with no significant Wind Blown observed.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

See above for details, and as has been reported by several others, Spring conditions require an early start. And, things change rapidly allowing for increasing possible hazards to increase rapidly.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
All of the above, with the sensitive weak layers described on observations from 4/26 and Avalanche Report from 4/26 appearing to settle out by mid day in many locations. Obviously as the sun hit many of the suspect areas in the early morning hours the hazard rose as expected. Heavy PI contributed to the Avalanche Cycle as noted by all, with Cracking and Collapsing also reported. Poor Snowpack Structure mostly limited to the new snow from this weeks never ending events.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Widespread activity overnight had multiple connected Soft Slabs occurring throughout the range.

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

As soon as the sun hit any slopes on Wednesday Natural Wet Loose activity resumed and once the cloud cover came it this problem appeared to abate. Roller balls and entraining Loose Wet Avalanches were observed on many E, SE and S aspects in the Back Bowls, Highway to Heaven and Wolverine Cirque. Any direct sun on Thursday will most likely resume this problem.

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