Observation Date
4/14/2018
Observer Name
Zimmerman-Wall/Nason
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days/Silver/Grizzly
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Starry skies gave way to encroaching clouds by 7am. Temps remained cool well past sunrise due to the lingering clouds. Winds were light along the ridgelines with occasional gusts. Very comfortable temperatures until 11am. The intermittent clouds early on kept warming at bay, but the South's got damp by 1130.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The storm snow had settled out to 12"to 16" in most locales we visited. Along the LCC/BCC ridge, the northerly facing aspects were wind scoured down to the rain crust, which made skinning difficult. The East/Southeasts skied the best. Hundreds of tracks across the range by midday.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Despite the red flags listed above, Remarkable stability after a significant snowfall. Felt like the Utah days of old. Some Loose Wet activity was noted on specific terrain features near rocks facing the south half of the compass.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Relegated to rocky outcropings and steep gully walls facing south and east. Cloud cover may have helped keep this from being an issue early on in the day. Expect Sunday will be a different story with overnight lows quite a bit warmer than previous.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There are some rather large cornice features out in the range and would imagine that with continued warming they will become seniative once again. Just waiting for a passenger to take the elevator ride.
Comments
Photos:
1. Superior early morning with increasing cloud cover.
2. Previous crown in Two Dogs still visible, but mostly filled in.
3. Cornice kicking with no results
4. Clouds beginning to clear by midday to reveal the splendor of the Wasatch and the tracks on tracks on tracks.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
