Observation Date
11/27/2016
Observer Name
Wilson, Patterson, Gregersen, Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » Meadows
Location Name or Route
Meadow Chutes
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Weather Comments
Started under overcast skies with calm air and light snowfall. Precipitation intensity picked up dramatically around noon and the temperature seemed to drop. Probably not representative of broader picture, but low in Meadow Chutes the winds blew from the east.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
17"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Lots of light new snow on top of whatever existed before this storm. Low SE had a melt crust below that would crack around skis, low NE did not. Higher (9500’) had older wind crusts of varying thickness, which (by burping and pull testing) seemed well bonded above and below. There was also evidence of the older (pre 11/23) snowpack up in NE locations, but the grains were damp. ECT tests rather inconclusive: soft upper pack overlying shrubs made for difficult interpretation. Overall, danger in our touring area seemed low except for all the new snow that kept coming down!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
High PI/rapid loading. Snow density was light, but added perhaps 8 inches over the course of our tour on top of another 9 that had fallen the night before? Wind loading was not an issue yet in our touring location, but I suspect it will be a player tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Hard to add almost 20 inches of light snow without sluffing. In our area, nothing longrunning. Steeper shots or continued precip could change that equation.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We didn’t reach elevations with basal facets to worry about, but I’ll be curious to see if the new snow loading activates anything on the higher NE aspects
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
25°
Winter!! Hard to believe its actually happening!
For stunning snowflake images, check out observer Doug Wewer's site at desertsnowphotography.com. But anyone can appreciate what these flakes mean for skiing.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
