Last Chance- 32nd Annual Backcountry Benefit- Get Your Ticket Now!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Snowbird periphery

Observation Date
3/2/2017
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery
Location Name or Route
Snowbird Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Skies were clear for the entire day. Intense warming, and sunshine made the first days of March feel like mid spring. Upper elevation winds were on the high end of the light range out of the WSW. Light to calm winds were out of the SSW at 9000.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

SSE, S, and SW slopes got damp and will be crusty on Friday morning. Winds slabs from 1 cm to 8 cm exist in the upper alpine exposed areas. And of note, the surface snow was significantly weaker on Thursday with the riding much faster and less dense due to the upper layers having mixed forms of SH, NSF's, and faceting stellars. Minimal sluffing was occurring today on very steep slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Temperatures are forecast to rise at least another 5 degrees over the next 48 hours.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Widespread roller ball activity and wet loose observed on SSE, S and SW aspects, and with the warming tempertures the upper elevations may see more activity on Friday.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

The continued warming may help the cornices become more sensitive.

Large dangerous Roof Avalanches with layers of solid ice may become active on Friday.

Lingering very isolated wind slabs may still be found in the very steep upper elevation terrain.

Todays danger appeared to be mostly low besides the wet loose problem, and until the winds begin to pick up the danger may not change much. Moderate for Wet Loose appears correct.

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