Observation: Grizzly Gulch

Observation Date

2/10/2018

Observer Name

Joey

Region

Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch

Location Name or Route

Grizzly Gulch

Weather

Sky

Broken

Precipitation

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Strong

Weather Comments

I was at work, but between 3:30pm and 5:00pm Alta recieved about 5" of very low density snow. It made the road a complete junk show, with a couple hour long red snake. I skinned up at 6pm. The wind seemed fairly calm down low, but as I climbed up the ridge to Michigan City it was blowing pretty hard and steady with the occasional gust strong enough to make me tuck my face for shelter.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

The new snow was what dreams are made of. Unfortunately, it fell on an icy crust. The skiing was pretty good on the lower angle but if you turned too hard, you felt the bottom. There was already a fair bit of transport going on. I was able to get some small cracks on what measly terrain I was on.

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Cracking

Red Flags Comments

My concern for tomorrow is the forecasted moderately strong winds from the North/Northwest tonight. Has potential to transport a fair amount of low density snow. I would watch for wind slabs on E/SE/S/SW terrain probably just down from the ridgeline. Also, with any icy bed surface they may pick up more mojo than usual. I think it will be calm starting from the car tomorrow, but watch out for the wind slabs higher up. Probably nothing that a ski cut couldn't handle if you know what you are doing/looking for, but then you are left skiing icy bed surface?

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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