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Observation: Alexander Basin

Observation Date
3/6/2017
Observer Name
Jake Ward
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Alexander Basin
Location Name or Route
Alexander Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Intense winds seemed to settle down to moderate throughout the day. Mostly cloudy in the morning but broken skys in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Westerly slopes had been hammered by winds. Top of Yellowjacket Ridge was scoured down to grass. Leeward slopes held loose powder. Wind crust found on West facing aspects.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
New snow point releases and cornice fall on East facing aspects were running long. Cracking in wind slabs on North to West facing terrain. Windloading East aspects throughout the day.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
New loose snow was releasing about 3 to 4 inches running several hundred feet.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Only found wind slab instability near the tops of the ridges around 9000' on East to North Aspects
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate