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Observation: Murdock Peak

Observation Date
12/25/2016
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Murdock Peak
Location Name or Route
Murdock Peak
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
While the temperatures were not that cold, the wind chill was. Outside of the cover of trees the wind was blowing very hard from the west and transporting a significant amount of snow (see video).
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Upper elevations were wind loaded and very sensitive. The new snow sloughed easy, picked up speed and was running a long distance.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

With the strong west winds and the large amount of new, low density snow available for transport, the wind loading was my biggest concern today and will be for tomorrow as well.

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

I found the new snow to have soft slab characteristics if it had seen any wind. I was able to get the snow to crack and the cracks to propagate, but it took some effort.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments

With all the new snow and high winds, there was a significant amount of snow being transported off the ridge lines (see video).

Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates