UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Parleys Canyon

Observation Date
2/4/2017
Observer Name
Scott Patten
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon
Location Name or Route
Parleys Summit
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mix of clouds, sun, wind and groupel.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was a 2"-4" layer of groupel on top of the old snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
There have been a number of human triggered avalanches this week in Summit Park but it seemed like the snowpack might be healing a bit. I was surprised when two ECTs produced very clean propagation, one at 10 from elbow and one at 7 from wrist! Both slid on the rhyme layer that produced the loud powder from a few weeks back. These lower elevation north facing slopes that had been so solid earlier definitely are the the outliers now.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
7,300'
Slope Angle
18°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates