Observation Date
12/26/2016
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Periphery
Location Name or Route
Point Supreme, Rocky Point, Wolverine, Figure 8 Hill, Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Gorgeous, sunny but cold day in the mountains. Light winds on highest peaks added to the chill. Mostly clear in the morning with few clouds by afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Storm snow was about 16", cold and cakey in the morning. Excellent powder, slightly dense in most locations. Spotty areas of wind affected snow in extreme upper elevations. Snow surface stayed cold throughout the day on sunny aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Isolated pockets of soft wind slab 6-12" deep. Easily identifiable with some cracking. Not well connected nor displaying much energy or desire to run. On terrain approaching 40 degrees, ridge crest slabs could be coaxed out that would then entrain loose snow running until the angle backed off.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
A few loose, dry sluffs were observed on terrain that was steeper than 40 degrees.
Instabilities within the new snow are stabilizing quickly and by tomorrow I think they will be mostly healed but for very isolated pockets. Today people were skiing many steep lines on all aspects including a 40+ degree east face in Wolverine Cirque.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
