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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
6"
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
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