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Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
12/14/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Snake Creek Pass
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek Drainage Area
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Moderate to Strong SW WSW Winds with Intense and Active Transport and or Wind Blown. Snowfall was sustained at S1 to S2 throughout the day. Temperatures remaind on the mild side and in the mid 20's. Skies were mostly Obscured with periods of Overcast. Visibility was very limited.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow at 8000 in Silverfork was wet and Saturated throughout the storm period. Snow at Upper Elevations was Mixed Forms and mostly Graupel. Riding was excellent on Low Angle SE, S and SW. The Low Angle slopes only incurred a thin Zipper Crust from the Sun over the past few days and it was covered by up to 5 inches of dense "Buttery" Snow. Wind Crusts were observed on the exposed Southerly facing ridgelines.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor Snowpack Structure continues to be the complex issue at hand. Mid pack and Basal Facets have been recently active when any new significant Load occurs. No Avalanches into Old Snow were observed today, but poor visibility prevented accurate and complete observations. Widespread Natural Avalanche Cycle observed on all Steep E, NE and N facing terrain with slope angles > 35 degrees. It appeared that the predominent and reactive Weak Layer was the initial first inch of Light Density Snow that fell overnight. Small Cornices were calving off Naturally and triggering some of the activity. Widespread Cracking in the New Wind Loaded Snow was observed. Wind Loaded Drifts of up to 2 foot deep were observed. Overnight Forecast into Thursday is calling for significant Rapid Warming with 9000 feet temperatures reaching 40 degrees.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above, and Avalanche Observation of Widespread Cycle. Sustained forecasted Winds with Snow Densities becoming greater may cause this problem to Increase overnight. As Temperatures Lower on Thursday Afternoon this problem may Decrease Slightly.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Wet Slab and Loose Wet Avalanche Potential Problems may become active over the next 18 hours with the forecasted temperatures Rapidly Rising.

Persistent and Deep Slab Potential is very possible with additional water weight and wind.

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