Observation Date
1/26/2018
Observer Name
cmackenzie
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Toledo Bowl
Location Name or Route
Toledo
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clearing skies. Light snowfall ~1cm/hr.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
~20cm new snow, evidence of wind transport early in the storm. Right side up new snow, stellar dendrites on top of fragmented particles. Mid afternoon I was able to find some RR in the cold sunny southerly snow, however, I don't see this being a future issue.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Potential for previous wind slabs to be hidden by the new storm snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Although it has been active only sporadically, this is still my primary concern. Anything above 9k holding old snow or with an easterly aspect is suspect. I don't see this going away anytime soon. Didn't see any slab activity within the storm snow and dry loose activity was manageable today.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Lots of transport pre-frontal from this past storm. NE aspects seem especially loaded farther down slope than expected from high wind speeds. Lots of cross loading across gullies.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments
Not entirely convinced that southerly aspects are free of poor structure. Although I was able to find faceted snow on SE aspects, I was unable to initiate a fracture in test pits.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
