Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
3/15/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery: Millicent South Face, Wolverine Bowl, Lower Wolverine Chutes, Tuscarora Notch, Pioneer Ridge East facing: the Healing Shot
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Light WSW winds only perceptable in the alpine exposed areas. No transport oberverd. Skies were vacillating between overcast with intermittent patches of brief sun. Fortunately these sunny periods did not last long enough warm the snow surface, and as a result, there will be no crusts on Friday. Sminus 1 snowfall throughout the day with accumulations of an 3 cm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

The "Perfect Storm": yesterdays warm and wet weather appeared to lay down a thick layer of dense/heavy snow above 8700 feet and accumulations throughout the evening hours continued to lighten up with 2 to 4 inches of light density snow on top. Bonding ot the old snow surface was excellent, and the storm was Right-Side-Up. Conditions were very consistent at all elevations and on all aspects, and there was very little evidence of wind. There was a blanket of new snow that provided incredible riding with a bottomless feel on all but the steepest east and south aspects.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No Red Flags observed besides Loose Snow Dry Avalanching/Sluffing. In the early morning hours the sluffs appeared to running more easily and fast, and as the day burned on the sluffing was confined to the upper 1 to 2 inches. Isolated areas of very small patches of wind loading were observed and in a few areas the slabs were up to 7 inches thick, though they were stubborn
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

See above

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

See above

Moderate Danger in lower elevations due to saturated snowpack and wet slab potential. Along with this the 1.5 inches of water weight may be able to reactivate the poor snowpack structure found in the outlying areas outside of the Alta and Brighton Perimeter.

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