Observation Date
1/4/2017
Observer Name
Jesse
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Scotties Bowl
Location Name or Route
Scottie's
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Dawn patrol report. Was snowing lightly when we started at 6am, and winds were blowing strong once we got about 500' up. Was hard to say which direction, sometimes from the east, other gusts from the west.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Swirling winds created a 2 to 3" dense layer on top of snow surface, burying the "blower" from Monday. Still very skiable, just a bit funky.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The heavy snowfall from Monday plus the wind from Tuesday night and Wednesday are the main red flags. Warming temps will play a role in increasing snow density, bringing heavier snow on top of Monday's light snow, creating possible issues in snowpack structure.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Dense snow, and potentially a lot of it, plus wind, will create touchy conditions in the storm slab.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Winds will surely create some slabs that could be easy to release along ridgelines and in steeper terrain. Mitigation will be crucial before dropping in.
Comments
Overall still pretty good riding conditions, but today's snow and wind could change things drastically. Sheltered terrain will provide the best snow quality, otherwise we're looking at potential upside down snowpack in upper 2 to 3 feet of snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
