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Observation: Snowbird periphery

Observation Date
12/18/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery
Location Name or Route
Snowbird Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Frigid Temperatures that appeared to never rise above 3 degrees. Calm Winds with no Transport observed.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Settlement appeared to generate overnight with average estimates at 25 % in the Light Density Snow that fell on top of the Rain Crust. Surface Snow weakening with NSF's and SH observed. Riding was excellent on all slopes and aspects, yet with the cold Temperatures it was Slower than on Saturday. Despite Full Sun today, the Southerly aspects appeared to hold up and did not develop crusts.

HS ranged from 100 to 135 cm.

Of Note: Widespread Skier and Snowboard activity on many very steep slopes with only Sluffing in the New Snow as a current issue. It appears that the Warm Temperatures in the beginning of the latest event have done a good job locking up many of the previous Mid Pack and Lower Pack Instabilities.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
A variety of Avalanche Activity ranging from Soft Slabs, Hard Slabs, and Sluffing in the Upper Layers observed from the previous two days with Explosive Control and Natural Avalanches on basically all aspects and Elevations down to 9000. It appeared that there were no New Avalanches since Noon on the 17th. Poor Snowpack Structure that may present issues with future loads, beyond the Surface Instabilities, appear to be possible with collapse failure a concern as developing facets and Snow Pit Tests are indicating problems below the Rain Crust. Facet Crust Sandwiches were observed up to 8700 feet on all aspects with a much more fragile and friable Rain Crust above 8400 feet.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

As the Snow Surface becomes more weak, the possibility of Large Sluffs and or Loose Dry Avalanches will increase and gain in size on very Steep Terrain on the Upper Half of the compass.

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

Though not a Problem today, with the Forecast calling for mid to upper 20s and Sunny Skies for Monday the possibility of Wet Loose Avalanches most likely will become an issue on Southerly Facing Slopes as they receive Solar Gain for the first time since the latest event. This Problem will be predictable, yet with the increase of Natural Avalanches from noon on, the Danger for Monday may be Considerable.

The Danger observed during this tour and others reported appears to be Moderate.

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