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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
2/17/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light winds out of the S with no visible wind blown and or transport throuhout the day. Temperatures moderated today with warming but the gently breeze kept things relatively cool. Skies remained clear throughout the day and into the evening hours.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mid elevations appeared to warm from the solar, but nothing significant was noted with regard to excessive dampness above 9000 feet. The winds appeared to keep the wet loose under control. Exellent settled powder even on the off aspects and low angle slopes. The wind exposed terrain was adversely effected from the previous days W and WNW winds and wind sculpting was evident.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The recent avalanches observed in the previous 48 hours continues to provide a lack of strong confidence for the green light riding that was in place earlier in the week. Regardless, no new avalanche activity was observed today. The poor snowpack structure that was observed in the Brighton Perimeter where the HS is the greatest was confined to the upper levels of the snowpack, and specifically the top 24 cm. Snowpit tests indicated CTE at 18 and 24 cm down with the weak layer being perserved stellars from earlier in the latest event at 18, and the old snow new snow interface at 24 cm down.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Despite the lack of this as an evident concern in the areas traveled today, the presence of poor snowpack structure with mid and lower level weak layers still remains the number one concern throughout the rest of the Range; and with the forecast for excessive SWE for the next 72 hours, we appear to be heading into yet another significant avalanche cycle.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Overnight winds are forecast to accelerate and this concern should escalate the potential for widespread wind slab activity at the upper elevations.

Danger observed in strictly the areas traveled today was Low, but likely Moderate elsewhere. And, as the PI and winds gather strength on Sunday, the danger should escalate to Considerable.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable