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Observation: Park City area mountians

Observation Date
2/23/2017
Observer Name
Evelyn
Location Name or Route
Park City area mountains
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light to moderate snowfall. Sun tried to come out a few times. Winds varied between light and calm. Winds were most consistent along the ridgelines, but surprisingly, they were occassional gusty at the mid elevations, luckily only briefly.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Nothing but low density powder, almost too deep on lower angle slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Red Flags Comments
Heavy snowfall over past 2 days is adding up to impressive amounts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Stayed out of the wind effected terrain, so main issue was sluffing and simply deep snow. Sometimes a small "slab" would try to initiate, but then almost instantly collapse into a sluff. Mostly failing with in the new snow on a lower density layer, but on slopes with underlying hard crusts it's more likely for entrainment and a longer running, larger slide.

New snow wise, if just plain felt almost too deep today - the feeling that if you fell in the wrong place, it could be hard to get up. Such as falling into a tree well or terrain trap could get into trouble. Info on Tree Well and Snow Immersion Suffocation video below. If snow rates drop off tonight as expected, and settlement starts, this should be less of an issue tomorrow.

Video

From the Crystal Mountain safety info:

  • Ski or ride with a partner in sight and within earshot at all times.
  • Ski or ride one at a time through treed terrain.
  • If you become separated from your partner immediately search for them

Thoughts for Friday -

Wind: we'll need to keep a very close eye on wind speeds and wind drifting. Overall speeds are forecast to remain low, but what will really matter is what the wind is where you are. Lots of snow available for transport.

Sun - the sun is getting strong, and the snow could be reactive with any direct sun, or with thin clouds allowing heating on the snow on any aspect.

But there will be acres of safe terrain with amazing powder, pretty much all aspects and elevations.

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