Observation Date
12/14/2017
Observer Name
Hardesty, O'Connor
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Periphery
Location Name or Route
Alta Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Gusts into the 20s; moving the 1" of new that fell overnight.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

(Almost) all conditions out there.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Dormant snow stucture.
Video

Went to look at east and west facing today. West held stout crusts. East at the higher elevation here looked similar to north facing.

Weaknesses noted:

  • Recent likely diurnal faceted snow now buried a few cms beneath last night's inch of new and a thin wind skin.
  • Considered facets above the Thanksgiving crust but found a good bond.
  • Facets beneath the crust and for the next 10-15cm below remains the significant weak layer.
  • Have little doubt things will flush to or just above the ground with any significant storm.

The road to nowhere

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