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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/11/2018
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Day started clear, clam, and cool but warmed relatively quickly. By 2:30pm high clouds had moved in and winds from the south picked up a bit.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

South facing had a pretty firm crust so south aspects were still scratchy even with a little new snow. Other aspects skied pretty well.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Not enough snow to really change the avalanche danger today. We were mostly on ridgelines and south facing slopes today. Where there was snow on south facing slopes there were a number of hard very supportable crusts. Once you pushed your pole through you could easily feel weaker layers (see pit below).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

On south facing slopes the hard crusts provided a good sliding surface for the new snow. We were able to trigger one relatively long running loose slide. This didn't really present much of a hazard since there wasn't much snow. Although we might get a little snow on Monday and could present more of a hazard tomorrow, this will probably get cooked into a crust with a little sun.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

Poor structure of hard over weaker snow was present on south facing slopes. Although it is typical to see many crusts in this area, looking back at old snowpits from the last few years, it seems like the snow between those crusts it is typically much stronger.

In prior years snow depths have been between ~180cms - 240cms. Today we recorded 95cms.

Snow Profile
Aspect
South
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments

Rocks, dirt, and sticks were also a danger today. Lots of bare spots even at 9500 feet.

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