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Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date
2/10/2017
Observer Name
Evelyn
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch
Location Name or Route
Grizzly Gulch
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Snow just starting, still prefrontal winds coming out of the south, but strong gusts from a variety of directions. Even though it was snowing, still a wet day...getting damp from inside and clothes wet from outside. Not a good day for photos.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

A trace to 1" of new snow while I was out, rain snow line around 8000' and dropping as I drove down the canyon. Mostly grauple, being blown around, and starting to fill in old tracks, etc. Already improved turns on the low angle slopes where it collected. I'm thinking this right side up storm could create some excellent turning conditions tomorrow in wind sheltered areas.

Comments

The storm is just starting - stability will depend on what happens tonight into tomorrow - how much snow, do wind speeds decrease sooner or later, and how much rain do the low elevations get before frontal passage drops temperatures. Won't know til the morning.

But, at upper elevations, the old snow seems to be cooling and stabilizing. On sunny slopes, with old thick warm crusts, hopefully the new warm snow will bond and should be right side up. On northerly facing slopes, there were some thin crusts beneath the newest snow, but guessing they may bond overnight to the damp snow beneath.

One concern, in at mid to low elevations, is that the new snow will still act as wet snow and wet sluffs will be easy to initiate.

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