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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
4/9/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Dawn Patrol only, early morning temperatures in the low 20's and already 40 degrees at 8000 at 9:30. Light wind out of the SW and only detectable in the upper alpine. Minimal transport observed on the most exposed ridgelines. Clear skies.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Two more inches of lighter density snow overnight to cap the 5 to 7 inches from the past 36 hours. Excellent riding on moderate and low angle slopes in the dense snow that has fallen over the weekend. Steeper slopes still scratchy. Rain Crust up to 10 k, but the graupel and dense snow helped keep you riding in soft creamy turning conditions. At 0900 the April sun had not yet dampened the surface snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The widespread activity and reactive new snow observed over the weekend appears to have settled out significantly. The residual heat from the intense warming since Friday appeared to have been venting out and helping the direct bonding to the rain crust. That being said, there is still an easy shear 2 cm up from the rain crust in loose graupel, and there is a soft slab of varying thicknesses above this layer up to the surface. Small soft wind slabs were also observed on exposed loaded east and northeast facing ridgelines.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

On steep slopes that either have and or retain cold snow, Loose Dry Avalanches will be an issue today.

On steep slopes on east, south, and west facing slopes the intense April solar will help initiate Wet Loose Avalanches today; and the slick crusts on all aspects will allow for these avalanches to entrain snow and build up large debris piles. In high consequence terrain this will be an issue of concern.

The forecast for a return on Tuesday and Wednesday to excessive daytime highs, and overnight lows above freezing, may send us back to Wet Slab Avalanche Problem concerns.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #2 Comments

Slide for life potential is a distinct possibility on all steep slopes due to the slick crusts.

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