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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
1/29/2017
Observer Name
UAC Snowshoe 101
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light winds out of the WNW with minimal wind blown and or transport observed in areas traveled. At time plumes observed on higest ridgelines. Temperatures continued to warm and appeared to hit mid 20's at 9000. Clear skies throughout the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Surface snow condition were 10 inches of fist hard settled powder that is becoming more dense each day. Solar aspects gaining significant heat and getting damp during the day with m/f crusts ensuing by late afternoon. Minimal wind damage observed from the NE winds from previous day.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Biggest red flag in this area for Sunday will be the spiking temperatures during the heighth of mid day warming. For Saturday we were not able to identify similar weak/dangerous snowpack structure that has been plaguing other low and mid elevation locations. CTM RP scores were consistently observed in pits. Despite these pieces of limited data, and an overall lack of avalanche activity in the upper Cottonwoods, suspect there still may be lingering traps in sheltered areas where facets still exist at the prefrontal interface from two Wednesdays ago. Obviously collapsing and avalanches reported over the past few days indicate this issue/problem is not dormant.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Roller balls and damp saturated surface snow appeared to be the only cause for concern in this area traveled today. And, with the forecast for temperatures to jump at least another 15 degrees higher on Sunday this Problem will be increasing in size and distribution.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Same increase in temperatures may help exacerbate the Persistent Slab Problem today and over the next 48 hours, as the overriding slab becomes more consolidated and dense with more concentrated weight pressuring these buried weak layers of concern.

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