Observation Date
5/8/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Peimeter
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Early morning Obscurred Skies with Fog, and a strong short wave moving through in the mid afternoon with Moderate Snowfall.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Fun riding for the Dawn Patrol on Mother's Day on 1 to 2 inches of dry new on top of a spongy thin (1 inch) M/F Crust above 8700 feet. Below this minimal refreeze was damp to wet grains a foot down on the Northerly aspects; and bottomless Isothermal conditions on aspects on the Southerlies. By mid day a band of Intense Precip moved through lasting 2 to 3 hours, and this put down another 3 to 5 inches. Riding conditions improved during this event, yet things changed overnight with a Wet Warm Front moving through around 2000 hours. Rain appeared to have fallen well above 10,000 feet most likely created thick damp/wet condition up to at least 4 inches deep.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Recent Avalanches unconfirmed from the Warm Wet Front that came in overnight, yet the possibility of Wet Loose Slides was definitely possible; and if these were not reactive overnight, then Mondays warm temperatures and Sun may help increase this same Avalanche Problem. Poor Snowpack Structure continues to be a possible factor with a definite percolation barrier existing a foot down as previously described on the Upper Elevation Northerly aspects. Wet Grains on top of this firm Upper Pack Crust may present possible Wet Slab issues in the future.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

See above.

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