Observation Date
12/9/2016
Observer Name
Charlie D.
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Emma Ridges
Location Name or Route
Emmas
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Some gusts and small pockets being loaded higher up, but otherwise surprisingly pleasant. After 2pm the winds were picking up again above 8500
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
Cracking and small collapses only in pockets steeper than about 38 degrees.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Along steep gully walls, ski cuts were releasing a few sluffs.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
I didn't poke around the north facing stuff. Every thing else seemed to be sticking to the slopes so far, but another few inches (or wind loading) and it could be a different story. Dug a few hasty pits on steep east facing slopes and although I wasn't getting full propagation, the storm slab is very eager to come popping off the thin layer of weak snow that it is resting on. I imagine this new layer will settle into to place quickly enough. Terrible picture, but you can see the newest layer and the layer below both shearing off fairly cleanly.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
40°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None