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Observation: Snowbird periphery

Observation Date
1/22/2017
Observer Name
Snowbird AIARE L1
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery
Location Name or Route
Snowbird Periphery
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cloudy, becoming Obscured after 1600 with the SW Winds gaining strength at mid elevations around 1400. Upper elevations were experiencing sustained upper end Moderate Winds from the start of the day. Wind Blown and or Transport was observed throughout the day and was in the Moderate Range, with other times when it was Intense. At 2200 hours at 8000 feet in BCC there were periods of Intense Wind Blown with Strong Gusts. Temperatures were mild at mid elevations today.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Despite mild temperatures, the snow remained cold and dry. Observations and other reports from the field stated riding conditions were excellent in the morning and early afternoon hours. Yet, by 1400 hours the SW Winds were changing the quality of riding as well as the upper snowpack structure. The snowpack appears to be turning upside down in most locations.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Despite not encountering any collapsing today, it appears very Likely that the continuing and growing upside down snowpack will allow for Widespread Collapsing. The abundant light density snow that fell over the past 48 hours appears to be deep enough to promote this kind of Poor Snowpack Structure. Plus, with the variable Crust/Facet Sandwichs that have been reported, Collapse Failure appears to be very Likely on aspects on the Lower Half of the Compass. Cracking was still being observed throughout the day, and as the Wind continued to change the Snowpack Structure later in the day reports of Avalanche Activity appear to be indicating a significant pattern change that may become Widespread for the next 48 hours.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Forecasts of Heavy Snowfall and 2 plus inches of additional water appear to be enough to activate the buried weak surface snow layers from this past Wednesday. And in many areas this may involve Widespread Avalanches larger than 2 feet deep by mid day on Monday.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments

In areas where the Winds are creating increasingly larger slab development the upside Snowpack Structure may Likely help promote very Large and Dangerous Wind Slabs; and these appear to be Widespread and Likely; and most Likely will be found in mid elevations as well as in the usual upper elevations locations.

Cornice Failures appeared to be active on Sunday and this Problem may continue to be an issue for the next 48 hours.

The Avalanche Danger appears to be escalating to High and may have periods of Extreme during Heavy Snowfall Rates on Monday. Remote Triggering combined with Widespread Collapsing may allow for Large and Dangerous Avalanches to be a factor all aspects and elevations on Monday.

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