Observation Date
3/1/2018
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine to White Pine Lake
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Moderate to heavy snowfall between 1300 and 1600 with about 3" of accumulation. Gusty SW winds into the 30's with blowing snow above treeline.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Observed isolated shallow wind slab formation right around treeline. Visibility was poor and gusty winds were undoubtedly transporting more snow up high.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Didn't quite get high enough but based on conditions at treeline there had to be shallow wind slabs forming up high.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
Multiple weak layers exist in the snow pack. Where the pack is more than 110 cm deep, the bottom 40 cm are faceted. At lower elevations, where HS is less than 75 cm, facets make up much of the snowpack. Found weak layers about 10 cm above and below the Feb 18 dirt layer that were reactive under CT's. Got an ECTX that I was able to pop out at the ground after striking shovel with my boot.
Comments
Initially went out to study Long John Silver avalanche from Feb 26, but deteriorating weather and poor visibility prevented us from getting into the high country and we stopped at treeline. Areas of Considerable danger for shallow wind slabs existed today at the extreme upper elevations but overall danger was Moderate.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
