Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
12/27/2016
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter: Millicent, Wolverine Bowl, Lower Chutes, Lake Martha, Dog Lake Chutes
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sustained Moderate Variable Winds out of the SW through W. Winds were even active at Mid Elevations in regularly quiet areas. Gusts were in the Strong Category in the Upper Elevation exposed terrain. Transport and or Wind Blown was Moderate. Temperatures were warmer than the past few days, and in the mid 20's at upper elevations. The cloud cover thickened by 1100 hours and as a result the Temperatures appeared to not hit the forecast highs.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Despite the Wind velocities, Riding Conditions were excellent, and with the temperatures warming today, the turning was improved from yesterday with faster conditions allowing for Moderate to Low Angle Riding to be much more enjoyable. Besides the Main Section of the Wolverine Bowl, the Winds did not adversely affect any of the other Terrain. Creamy bottomless conditions were found on many aspects. And, once again the Southerly aspects held up from getting damp and crusting. South Faces rode as well as all other aspects. Knife to Pencil Hard Wind Slabs were observed in the Upper Elevation Exposed Terrain and especially right off the Ridgelines. These Slabs were up to 14 inches thick in places and exhibiting minimal cracking. Sastrugi and Wind Sculpting was found on many Leeward exposures.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind Loading was obviously the main Red Flag today with visible Transport occurring from 0900 on, and Increasing in Danger throughout the day. Poor Snowpack Structure holding a minimal concern with Moderate Shears in Recrystallized Grauple 35 cm down. This Problem is very spotty and has a wide Spatial Variability. The most pronounced observance of it was at 9700 feet on a 40 degree North Facing aspect.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

As previously described Active Wind Loading was Widespread on exposed Ridgelines and Channeled Terrain Features. Hard Slab development was continuing to occur throughout the day and still at Sunset hours.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

With each passing day of no Avalanche Activity reported, the potential for Mid Pack weaknesses dissipates, yet Snow Pit Tests continue to identify Lingering Weak Layers. Though these test appear to indicate a lack of reactivity, it may still be possible to find Isolated areas in very steep terrain that may be active. As the Wind Loading continues to possibly overburden certain N and NE aspects, this problem may become more of an issue; yet with Hard Slab development the areas capable of triggering one of these Slabs becomes more Isolated. As always with Harder Slabs, the tendency to trigger one may occur further down the slope than expected.

With no Naturals observed today the Danger appeared to Moderate, and most likley it will remain that way for Wednesday.

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