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Observation: Snowbird periphery

Observation Date
3/7/2017
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery
Location Name or Route
Snowbird Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Weather Comments
WSW winds were still active in the morning hours at upper elevations and in the upper end of the moderate range. Transport was happening but light. As the day progressed winds died down significantly and were more out of the SW. Temperatures rose today from the previous days cold figures and hovered in the upper 20's at upper elevations. A skiff of snow fell in the early morning hours and in the early evening hours as well. Skies remained clear today.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Variable conditions exist with patches of wind swept/scoured in the exposed terrain in the upper elevations. Along with this there are isolated areas that are housing thick wind packed/settled powder. In the mid protected elevation areas there was good creamy 10 to 12 inch deep undisturbed powder riding. The sun appeared to have enough impact that it dampened S, SW and W aspects, and these will have m/f crusts of varying thicknesses on Wednesday. In all, the latest event has left at least 60 percent of the terrain damaged.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Cracking was observed on upper elevation terrain from down slope and cross loading. These areas had wind slabs from 2 inches thick to 10 inches thick, and despite the cracking these old wind slabs were mostly stubborn and unreactive. For Wednesday, the forecast for rising temperatures into the 40's at 9000 indicates an upward trend with the day time highs and subsequently creating weak uncohesive layers in the top 10 cm.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

As reported by others, wind slabs appeared to be the biggest concern. Though they appeared to have settled out significantly in the past 24 hours, there most likely are still lingering isolated consequential terrain features on a variety of aspects ranging from NE, NW through SW

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Wednesday should see more activity for Wet Loose, especially on the SE, S and W. Hard crusts are underlying the current snow fall on the SE, S and SW aspects, and these may help Wet Loose avalanches to run further.

The large cornices that are out there may begin to shed again over the next 72 hours due to the forecast for excessive warm temps.

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